Valentin Ivanov is 80!

Today is the 80-anniversary of the Russian football legend – Valentin Ivanov.

All his life Valentin Ivanov committed to one team – Torpedo Moscow, where he played on the position of forward.

A man of principle, honest and hard-core – these qualities of Ivanov got him respect and authority of all football supporters in our country. He was always a vivid example of selfless service to his favourite game.

Valentin Ivanov was Torpedo captain for many years. He played for Torpedo 287 matches and scored 124 goals in the period between 1952 and 1966.

USSR Champion (1960, 1965). Runner-up (1957, 1961, 1964). Bronze medal (1953). Cup of the USSR holder (1960). Cup of the USSR runner-up (1958, 1961). Team member – Cup of the USSR runners-up (1966).

Merited Master of Sports of the USSR (1957).

In the list of The Best 33 – 12 times: №1 (1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964), №2 (1953, 1956, 1965).

Grigory Fedotov memorial Goalscorers Club member (166 scored goals).

For the National Team of the USSR – 59 games in the period 1955-1965 (26 scored goals).

Olympic Champion (1956). European Champion (1960) and Runner-up (1964). FIFA World Cup participant (1958, 1962).

The USSR National Team captain (1963-1965).

Best Goalscorer of FIFA World Cup 1962 (together with Brazilians Vava and Garrincha, Jerković from Yugoslavia, Sanchez from Chile and Albert from Hungary – each of them scored 4 goals).

Head and Senior coach of Torpedo 1967-1970, 1973-1978, 1980-1991, 1994-1996, 1998, head of the team in 1971-1973 годах.

Under Ivanov the team of Torpedo became the USSR Champions (1976-autumn), won Bronze medals (1968, 1977, 1988), USSR Cup holders (1968, 1986), USSR Cup runners-up (1977, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1991).

Merited coach of the USSR (1988).

 The memory about Valentin Ivanov will live in our hearts forever.