This Day in History: 2023-01-17

Nr. 384

LEV YASHIN WINS FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR (1963)

«The peerless goalkeeper of the century,» is how Eusebio described Lev Yashin, who in 1963 became the first, and so far only, goallkeeper to be voted European Footballer of the Year. Known as the ‘Black Panther’, Yashin played his club football for Dynamo Moscow between 1949 and 1971 and on the international scene won a record 79 caps for the Soviet Union, playing a major role in their gold medal success at the 1956 Olympics and winning the
inaugural European Championships in 1960. He also played in three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1966, and attended the 1970 tournament as a non-playing reserve.

Lev Yashin was a commanding presence in the Soviet Union penalty box and made 78 international appearances between 1954-70.