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Remembering Lev Yashin the 'Black Spider': The best goalkeeper football has ever seen

Do you know the Golden Glove Award given to the best goalkeeper at the end of every edition of the FIFA World Cup is named after a Soviet shot-stopper who is regarded as the best shot-stopper to ever play the game? Read more about him on his birth anniversary.
Do you know the Golden Glove Award given to the best goalkeeper at the end of every edition of the FIFA World Cup is named after a Soviet shot-stopper? That's right, ever since 1994, FIFA honours the best goalkeeper of the quadrennial tournament with the
Do you know the Golden Glove Award given to the best goalkeeper at the end of every edition of the FIFA World Cup is named after a Soviet shot-stopper? That's right, ever since 1994, FIFA honours the best goalkeeper of the quadrennial tournament with the
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Born on 22 October, 1929, Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or award til date. He was known by the names including the 'Black Spider', 'Black Panther' and 'Octopus' amomg many others. His out of this world reflexes and fearless shot-stopping ability was the reason behind receiving most of these names. Though his jersey was dark blue, it appeared to be black in colour for spectators. IN PIC: Yashin dives to catch the ball in front of English forward Greaves during the friendly match between England and a 'Rest of the World' selection 24 October, 1963 at Wembley stadium in London. (Photo | AFP)
Born on 22 October, 1929, Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or award til date. He was known by the names including the 'Black Spider', 'Black Panther' and 'Octopus' amomg many others. His out of this world reflexes and fearless shot-stopping ability was the reason behind receiving most of these names. Though his jersey was dark blue, it appeared to be black in colour for spectators. IN PIC: Yashin dives to catch the ball in front of English forward Greaves during the friendly match between England and a 'Rest of the World' selection 24 October, 1963 at Wembley stadium in London. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin spent his entire career with Dinamo Moscow, from 1950 to 1970, winning the USSR football championship five times and the Soviet Cup three times. IN PIC: Yashin in Moscow wearing Dinamo Moscow's jersey in 1966. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin spent his entire career with Dinamo Moscow, from 1950 to 1970, winning the USSR football championship five times and the Soviet Cup three times. IN PIC: Yashin in Moscow wearing Dinamo Moscow's jersey in 1966. (Photo | AFP)
So what makes him so special? Critics place him above the likes of Dino Zoff, Sepp Maier, Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel and Iker Casillas due to a lot of reasons. Football pundits consider Yashin as the man who revolutionised goalkeeping as we know it today. He was a wonder for both spectators and players alike as he'd charge in front of his defenders to sweep or clear a ball. He took absolute command inside the penalty box while on the field. Goalkeepers shouting commands to his fellow players is a regular thing in modern times, but Yashin was the first to communicate thoroughly with his teammates, placing them exactly where he wanted. (Photo | AFP)
So what makes him so special? Critics place him above the likes of Dino Zoff, Sepp Maier, Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel and Iker Casillas due to a lot of reasons. Football pundits consider Yashin as the man who revolutionised goalkeeping as we know it today. He was a wonder for both spectators and players alike as he'd charge in front of his defenders to sweep or clear a ball. He took absolute command inside the penalty box while on the field. Goalkeepers shouting commands to his fellow players is a regular thing in modern times, but Yashin was the first to communicate thoroughly with his teammates, placing them exactly where he wanted. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin won 78 caps for the Soviet national team after his debut in 1954. He played three World Cups for his country, securing 12 clean sheets and captained the side to their best-ever performance in the global event when they finished fourth in England in 1966. Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany defeated the Soviets 2-1 in the much-anticipated semifinal clash. IN PIC: Yashin during a match on 27 May, 1971 in Moscow. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin won 78 caps for the Soviet national team after his debut in 1954. He played three World Cups for his country, securing 12 clean sheets and captained the side to their best-ever performance in the global event when they finished fourth in England in 1966. Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany defeated the Soviets 2-1 in the much-anticipated semifinal clash. IN PIC: Yashin during a match on 27 May, 1971 in Moscow. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin stopped 151 penalty kicks during his career, more than any other goalkeeper in the history of the sport, and kept over 270 clean sheets. He became the captain of the Soviet team at a time when goalkeepers getting the honour to wear the skipper's armband was not an usual affair. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin stopped 151 penalty kicks during his career, more than any other goalkeeper in the history of the sport, and kept over 270 clean sheets. He became the captain of the Soviet team at a time when goalkeepers getting the honour to wear the skipper's armband was not an usual affair. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin died of a stomach cancer in 1990 as is survived by wife Valentina Timofeyevna and daughters Irina and Elena. A bronze statue of Lev Yashin was erected at the Dynamo Stadium in Moscow. (Photo | AFP)
Yashin died of a stomach cancer in 1990 as is survived by wife Valentina Timofeyevna and daughters Irina and Elena. A bronze statue of Lev Yashin was erected at the Dynamo Stadium in Moscow. (Photo | AFP)
Lev Ivanovich Yashin once said: 'What kind of a goalkeeper is the one who is not tormented by the goal he has allowed? He must be tormented! And if he is calm, that means the end. No matter what he had in the past, he has no future.' IN PIC: A mural of Lev Yashin in Kaliningrad during the 2018 FIFA World Cup that Russia hosted. (Photo | AFP)
Lev Ivanovich Yashin once said: 'What kind of a goalkeeper is the one who is not tormented by the goal he has allowed? He must be tormented! And if he is calm, that means the end. No matter what he had in the past, he has no future.' IN PIC: A mural of Lev Yashin in Kaliningrad during the 2018 FIFA World Cup that Russia hosted. (Photo | AFP)
football
Soviet Union
goalkeeper
FIFA World Cup
Lev Yashin
Lev Ivanovich Yashin

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