Igor Netto
Encyclopedia
Igor Aleksandrovich Netto (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.
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.
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.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
from the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, 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.
Biography
He was the captain of the USSR national football teamUSSR national football team
The Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
from 1954 to 1963. He led the country to the gold medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, and victory at the first ever European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
in 1960. He missed all but one match in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
due to injury, and also played all four matches in the 1962 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
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
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
from 1949 until 1966, scoring 37 goals in 367 league games, winning five Soviet championships
Soviet Top League
The Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
and three cups
Soviet Cup
The Soviet Cup, or USSR Cup , was the premier football cup competition in the Soviet Union.-Finals:-Performance by club:-Performance by republic:-References:*, rsssf.com. Accessed on 16 May 2006....
. He retired in 1966 and became an ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
coach. He was awarded the Order of Lenin
Order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
in 1957. The stadium of Spartak Moscow reserves team is named after him. After the end of his career, he became a manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and coached AC Omonia
AC Omonia
Athletic Club Omonoia Nicosia is a professional football club that plays in the Cyprus capital city Nicosia. The club was established in 1948 and became a member of the Cyprus Football Association in 1953...
, FC Shinnik Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl is a Russian football club, based in Yaroslavl.From 1957 to 1960 the team was called Khimik.- Russia:- Current squad :, according to the .-Out on loan:- Notable players :...
, Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
, Panionios and Neftchi Baku.
Interesting facts
Netto was a person of exceptional honesty. The most famous episode proving that had place during 1962 World Cup1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
match against Uruguay team
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
. The score was 1:1, Igor Chislenko
Igor Chislenko
Igor Leonidovich Chislenko was a Soviet footballer.He played over 200 league games for FC Dinamo Moscow, winning two Soviet league titles and the Soviet Cup on one occasion. He also played for the USSR national football team, appearing 53 times, and scoring 20 goals...
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
Valentin Kozmich Ivanov
Valentin Kozmich Ivanov was a football winger/striker, co-leading scorer at the 1962 World Cup and co-1960 European Nations' Cup top scorer.Ivanov appeared 59 times for the Soviet Union, scoring 26 goals...
's goal.
National team
- European ChampionUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
(1): 1960 - Olympic ChampionFootball at the Summer OlympicsAssociation football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
: Football at the 1956 Summer OlympicsFootball at the 1956 Summer OlympicsThe 1956 Olympic Games football tournament with just 11 competing nations suffered from cancellations. It was an undistinguished tournament that featured mis-matches and walkovers.-Background:... - National teamUSSR national football teamThe Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
: 54 caps, 4 goals; participant and quarter finalist in the 19581958 FIFA World CupThe 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
and 19621962 FIFA World CupThe 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
playing totally in 6 matches - Soviet Olympic teamUSSR national football teamThe Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
: 4 participations, 3 goals in 1956
Club
- Soviet ChampionSoviet Top LeagueThe Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
: 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1962 - Soviet Cup WinnerSoviet CupThe Soviet Cup, or USSR Cup , was the premier football cup competition in the Soviet Union.-Finals:-Performance by club:-Performance by republic:-References:*, rsssf.com. Accessed on 16 May 2006....
: 1958, 1958, 1963