Today the world remembers legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, known as the “Black Spider”. Having received the FIFA Golden Ball Award in 1963, Yashin is widely considered as one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Yashin is remembered for his athleticism and goalkeeping reflexes, as well as his imposing stature and stamping authority, both on and off the pitch.
Today is the world remembers legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, known as the “Black Spider”. Having received the FIFA Golden Ball Award in 1963, Yashin is widely considered as one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Yashin is remembered for his athleticism and goalkeeping reflexes, as well as his imposing stature and stamping authority, both on and off the pitch.
Yashin was born in Moscow to a working class family in 1929. When WWII broke out, young Lev Yashin had volunteered to work in a military factory, where after long days of work, hungry and exhausted, the teenager had started playing football.
Above: Lev Yashin during his 60th birthday.
Yashin was born in Moscow to a working class family in 1929. When WWII broke out, young Lev Yashin had volunteered to work in a military factory, where after long days of work, hungry and exhausted, the teenager had started playing football.
Above: Lev Yashin during his 60th birthday.
It was while playing for his factory’s football team he was spotted and asked to join the Dynamo Moscow youth team. His debut came in 1950, and soon the young goalkeeper had quickly become a key player on the team.
Above: Yashin had over 150 penalty saves.
Above: Yashin had over 150 penalty saves.
"Sportsman has no harsher judge than himself", Yashin said.
Yashin had spent his entire career playing for Dynamo Moscow. Between 1950 and 1971, the year he had retired, Yashin had 326 games under his belt.
Above: Yashin during a match.
Yashin had spent his entire career playing for Dynamo Moscow. Between 1950 and 1971, the year he had retired, Yashin had 326 games under his belt.
Above: Yashin during a match.
In 1954, Yashin was invited to play for the USSR national team. He won the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia and the 1960 European Championship with the national team. Yashin played in three World Cup finals (1958, 1962 and 1966). He was credited with four clean sheets out of 12 games during the World Cups.
Above: The USSR football team.
Above: The USSR football team.
"Past victories mean nothing for the future", he said.
In 2002, the Soviet goalkeeper was chosen for the FIFA Dream Team of the 20th Century.
In 2002, the Soviet goalkeeper was chosen for the FIFA Dream Team of the 20th Century.
In 1963, Yashin had won the Golden Ball, an annual award bestowed to the best football player according to experts. To this day, Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Golden Ball award, which is normally given to attack-minded, goal-scoring players.
Above: The fact that Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the award truly exemplifies the Soviet athlete’s significance.
Above: The fact that Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the award truly exemplifies the Soviet athlete’s significance.
Yashin was known as the “Black Spider” for his distinctive all-black outfit and prodigious goalkeeping skills; it seemed as if Yashin had eight arms to defend all incoming shots.
Above: Yashin during a match, wearing his famous all-black uniform.
Above: Yashin during a match, wearing his famous all-black uniform.
Yashin was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1967, the highest award presented in the USSR, for his outstanding service to his country. He truly became a legendary figure, both on and off the pitch. His legacy is still well and alive to this day, reaching way beyond football.
Above: Yashin makes an honor lap in the Dynamo stadium during his 60th birthday.
Above: Yashin makes an honor lap in the Dynamo stadium during his 60th birthday.
After playing a total of 813 games during his career, Yashin had retired on May 27, 1971. At the end of this last game, Yashin addressed the crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium: “Thank you, the people”. Yashin retired as a true legend and the people’s champion, his name forever engrained into the history of football.
Above: Yashin gives autographs to children.
Above: Yashin gives autographs to children.
