Last update 25 March, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
Lev Yashin is considered the best goalkeeper in the history of football This Soviet goalkeeper born in Moscow back in 1929 He was known by the nickname of the 'Black Spider', because of their clothing, always in black, according to the same, to draw attention as possible. However, what many do not know is that Yashin became accidentally footballer, because originally it was just a factory worker to fix aircraft, who in his spare time he played goalkeeper for the ice hockey team of the company.
Lev Yashin: The 'Black Spider’ is the best goalkeeper of all time
However, injury of goalkeeper football team 1946, She gave him the opportunity to get started in this sport, so brilliantly, what in 1949 He went on to enlist in the ranks of Dinamo Moscow, his team of a lifetime and which would retire in 1971 to the 42 year old. The trajectory of the ‘Black Spider’ In his team he was absolutely spectacular as he managed to win five leagues and three Soviet cups. Besides, disputed 326 parties, of which in 270 He kept his clean sheet.
Success “the black spider” It was based on its innovative character for the time: it was high, strong, faster, with great sense of anticipation ( in fact it was the first out of the goal to cut balls), intelligent and perfectly mastered their defenses. But above all it stood, how to study opponents. such conditions, land they were worth to tackle throughout his long football career over 150 penalty shootout, his real specialty.
His career with the Soviet team was also truly remarkable. It debuted in major events at the Olympic Games 56, where gold was. It was enshrined in the Sweden's World Cup 58, where he also became the first goalkeeper to wear gloves in a competitive match. From there, he played the European Championship 60 (that won), the World Cup 62 and of 66 (where they reached the semifinals) and in Mexico 70. It was the World Cup in Chile 62, its possibly only mole then Lev Yashin had a bad day in the quarterfinals and his team fell by 2-1 against Chile.
The only goalkeeper to have a Ballon d'Or so far
That blow caused him to withdraw temporarily and engage in farm work. However, soon she realizes that their destiny was in goal and decided to return even better. Result of this, conquered in 1963 the Ballon d'Or ( the only one with a goalkeeper). Accolade that should also join the Order of Lenin in 1968 and elevation to the rank of colonel in the Soviet army and the appointment of FIFA in the year 2000 best goalkeeper in history. Besides, It has on the Walk of Fame Luzhniki stadium in Moscow a statue in his honor.
He 27 May 1971, Black Spider retire with more than 100.000 viewers as witnesses. In his farewell match, Lev Yashin He took off his gloves and handed them to the Uruguayan team goalkeeper and Peñarol de Montevideo: Ladislao Mazurkiewicz (considered the best goalkeeper in the Americas), which Yashin said: “You will be my successor”.
The last years of life were very hard for the ‘Black Spider’
The last years of his life were really bad for Spider. In 1984 They had to amputate a leg to gangrene and finally 1990 victim would die of stomach cancer. In any case, his memory will live forever as the best goalkeeper ever.
