Lev Ivanovich Yashin, nicknamed "Black Spider" or "Black Panther", is a Soviet professional footballer, widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the sport. He is known for his physical form, his ability to choose his position, his stature, his bravery, his courage in front of the goal and his skillful reflexes. He was also vice-president of the Soviet Football Federation. Yashin won the title for revolutionizing the goalie position by imposing his powers on the entire defense. A voice was present in the goal, he shouted orders to his defenders, ran out of his line to intercept crosses and also ran to meet the forwards, as the goalkeepers spent 90 minutes on goal in wait to be called. His performance made an indelible impression on a worldwide audience at the 1958 World Cup, which was broadcast internationally for the first time.

During his 22-year career with Dinamo Moscow, he reinvented the position as one of the game's best goalkeepers.