A Ukrainian footballer and manager who won the European Golden Shoe in 1986 and later coached several Ukrainian clubs. He's a Ukrainian football legend, known for his impressive goal-scoring record.
Igor Ivanovich Belanov, born on 25 September 1960, is a Ukrainian former professional footballer acclaimed for his phenomenal skills as a striker, earning him the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 1986. This milestone marked him as the second Ukrainian national to win the award, following in the footsteps of Oleh Blokhin in 1975.
Belanov kicked off his professional career in his hometown of Odesa, Ukraine, playing for SKA Odesa and FC Chornomorets Odesa. In 1985, he joined the Ukrainian giants, FC Dynamo Kyiv, where he scored an impressive ten goals in his debut season, culminating in a league and cup double.
Belanov's standout performance came during the 1985-86 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, where he, along with teammates Oleh Blokhin and Oleksandr Zavarov, led the scoring charts with five goals each. Dynamo Kyiv emerged victorious, securing their second Cup Winners' Cup title. Belanov played the full 90 minutes in the final against Atlético Madrid, etching his name in the annals of Ukrainian football history.
In 1989, Belanov made a highly anticipated move to Germany, joining Borussia Mönchengladbach. Although he made his Bundesliga debut on 4 November 1989, he struggled to replicate his Ukrainian form, scoring only five goals in his one-and-a-half-season stint. His reputation took a hit in January 1990, following a controversy surrounding him and his wife.
In 2011, Belanov, along with Oleh Blokhin and Vitaliy Starukhin, was honored as a legend of Ukrainian football at the Victory of Football awards. The Guardian included him in their list of the top 100 World Cup footballers of all time in 2014, cementing his status as an all-time great.
Igor Belanov's remarkable career serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication and skill on the pitch, etching his name in the annals of Ukrainian football history.
73 Years Old
A Ukrainian football legend who won the Ballon d'Or in 1975 and managed the Ukrainian national team to the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup. He's a highly decorated player and coach with numerous titles and accolades.
57 Years Old
Ukrainian footballer and manager who played for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team, and later managed several clubs, including Dynamo Kyiv and Karpaty Lviv.
46 Years Old
Ukrainian striker who played for top-tier clubs like Liverpool and Dynamo Kyiv, known for his pace and goal-scoring ability.
