Igor Aleksandrovich Netto (Russian: Игорь Александрович Нетто) (9 January 1930 – 30 March 1999) was a footballer from the Soviet Union, considered one of the greatest Soviet players ever. He started out as a left defender but, due to his offensive mentality, dribbling and technical abilities turned into a dynamic central midfielder. His versatility and footballing intelligence allowed him to play a number of positions across defense and midfield.
[edit] Biography
He was the captain of the USSR national football team from 1954 to 1963. He led the country to the gold medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics, and victory at the first ever European Championship in 1960. He missed all but one match in the 1958 FIFA World Cup due to injury, and also played all four matches in the 1962 FIFA World Cup when the Soviet Union reached the quarterfinals. In total he collected 54 international caps and four goals.
During his club career he played for FC Spartak Moscow from 1949 until 1966, scoring 37 goals in 367 league games, winning five Soviet championships and three cups. He retired in 1966 and became an ice hockey coach. He was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1957. The stadium of Spartak Moscow reserves team is named after him. After the end of his career, he became a manager and coached AC Omonia, FC Shinnik Yaroslavl, Iran, Panionios and Neftchi Baku.
[edit] Interesting facts
Netto was a person of exceptional honesty. The most famous episode proving that had place during 1962 World Cup match against Uruguay team. The score was 1:1, Igor Chislenko hit the goal, but the ball got into the goal from the outside, through the hole in the goal net. Netto (he was the team captain) informed the referee, and convinced him that there was no goal. Netto's team won that match anyway, after Valentin Ivanov's goal.
[edit] Honours
[edit] National team
[edit] See also
| Persondata |
| Name |
Netto, Igor |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
|
| Date of birth |
9 January 1930 |
| Place of birth |
Moscow, USSR |
| Date of death |
30 March 1999 |
| Place of death |
Moscow, Russia |
Soviet Union
