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Lev Yashin
Becoming the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or.
Olympic gold · European Championship
- Born
- 22 October 1929
- Birthplace
- Moscow, Soviet Union
- Died
- 20 March 1990
More people
Lev Yashin
A Soviet goalkeeper whose anticipation and command of his penalty area made him internationally influential. He spent his senior club career at Dynamo Moscow.
Early life
Wartime work
Worked in a factory as a teenager during the Second World War.
Two sports
Played both football and ice hockey while developing as a goalkeeper.
Career
- 1950s
Dynamo breakthrough
Established himself after difficult early appearances.
- 1956
Olympic champion
Helped the Soviet Union win gold in Melbourne.
- 1960–1963
European recognition
Won the European Championship and the Ballon d’Or.
- 1971
Farewell
Ended his playing career after two decades with Dynamo.
Achievements
Olympic gold
Won with the Soviet national team.
European Championship
Helped win the first edition of the tournament.
Ballon d’Or
Became the first goalkeeper to receive the award.
Beyond football
Ice hockey
Also won a Soviet ice-hockey cup with Dynamo.
Lasting recognition
A modern goalkeeping award bears his name.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Ballon d’Or award record ↗Photo: Kroon, Ron for Anefo. CC BY-SA 3.0 nl · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
