When football fans are asked about the greatest ever goalkeeper in the game's history, the likes of Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon, and Oliver Kahn might be some of the most familiar names that would be mentioned. It is also possible that modern football fans of the game see the likes of Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak or Ederson as the best keeper they've seen. However, there is a certain goalkeeper who is widely seen by many to be the greatest ever in football history. Lev Yashin is that player, and he probably won't be a name that is familiar with most football fans of the current era. This article will be looking at Lev Yashin's legendary career, and the impact he made in the goalkeeping position.
Has a goalkeeper ever won the Ballon d'Or?
Yes, Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or, receiving the prestigious award in 1963 for his exceptional performances and revolutionary contributions to the goalkeeping position.
Lev Yashin's Club Career: Dynamo Moscow Dominance
Lev Yashin came through the youth academy of Dynamo Moscow and played his entire career at the club. His debut for Dynamo Moscow came in a friendly match in 1950, which saw him have a poor performance and concede a soft goal. This resulted in the player only appearing in 2 league matches that year. Yashin did not appear in a senior match again until 1953.
Yashin did not give up despite that incident, and stayed at Dynamo in the reserves waiting for another opportunity. He also ended up playing as goalie for the Dynamo ice hockey team during those early years of trying to break into the senior squad. This saw him win a USSR ice hockey cup in 1953 and was also third in the USSR ice hockey championship as goalkeeper.
He had a 20 year stint at Dynamo Moscow, which saw him win the USSR football championship five times and the Soviet Cup three times.
How Lev Yashin Revolutionized Goalkeeping on the International Stage
Lev Yashin is a player that has been credited for revolutionizing the goalkeeper position. At a time when goalkeepers were spending the entire 90 minutes standing in the goal waiting to be called into action, Yashin brought about change by imposing his authority on the entire defence. He brought a whole new dimension into goalkeeping at the time, shouting orders at his defenders, coming off his line to intercept crosses and also running out to meet onrushing attackers. It was his magnificent performances in the 1958 FIFA World Cup that have him global recognition, as it was the very first World Cup to be broadcasted internationally.
The former Soviet international had appeared in 4 World Cups from 1958 to 1970. His greatest international success with the Soviet Union was in 1960, as they won the UEFA European Championship in France after beating Yugoslavia 2-1. Yashin was also a recipient of a gold medal at the 1956 Olympic football tournament.
Lev Yashin's Unmatched Individual Achievements: The Black Spider Legacy
Yashin's legendary career at both club and international level was nothing short of extraordinary, with the player keeping over 270 clean sheets throughout his career. According to FIFA, He had also saved over 150 penalty kicks, which is the most by any goalkeeper in history.
The Dynamo Moscow was also popularly referred to as "Black Spider" At the time. Yashin's collection of individual awards is a testament to his dominance in the goalkeeping position for several years. There was simply no one better than him at his position. The Black Spider went on to win an astonishing 9 European goalkeeper of The Year award, with his 4 awards being won in consecutive years. Lev Yashin also wrote himself eternally into the history books in 1963, as he became the only keeper in football history to win the Ballon d'or.
In addition to his outstanding individual accolades, Yashin has been named in several prestigious "all time greatest ever" Teams and players lists.
With his influence in the goalkeeping position, and his legendary individual awards cabinet, it certainly won't be wrong to declare Lev Yashin as perhaps the greatest goalkeeper in football history.
Also Read |
