Josef Masopust

1950/52 Technomat Teplice (RTC) 51 matches, 11 goals

1952/68 Dukla Prague (RTC) 593 matches, 189 goals

1968/70 Royal Crossing Molenbeek (BEL) 68 matches, 29 goals

Witht the National Team :

63 caps, 10 goals

(Friendly matches: 30 caps, 5 goals)

(World Cup qualifiers: 10 caps, 1 goal)

(World Cup: 10 caps, 1 goal)

(Euro qualifiers: 4 caps, 1 goal)

(Euro: 2 caps)

(International Cup: 7 caps, 2 goals)

1st cap: October 24, 1954 against Hungary (1-4)

Last cap: May 18, 1966 against the USSR (1-2)

Josef Masopust

Born on February 9, 1931 in Strimice (TCH)

died on June 29, 2015 in Prague (RTC)

Czech, Central-midfielder, Defensive-midfielder, 1m77

Nickname: The Knight

Josef Masopust was born on February 9, 1931 in Strimice, Czechoslovakia. He quickly became a promising young footballer in his country. Son of a miner father and a stay-at-home mother, he was the eldest of 6 children and in 1945 he joined Uhlomost Most at the age of 14, he stayed there until 1950 in the youth categories before launching his career in the first team, but in the Technomat Teplice club at 19.

For his first match with his new club, he scored a goal in a simple 7-1 victory against Žilina. Chaining good performances, the player attracted the attention of the biggest clubs in the country. He is a midfielder who plays as a team despite his exceptional technical qualities. A defensive midfielder, he often contributed offensively through his forward runs or his quality of passing.

An excellent passer from close to far, he was a maestro of the round ball who compensated for a slight physical weakness with very good balance, great agility and unfailing endurance. After only 2 years, he was recruited into the army team, Dukla Prague, then called ATK Prague.

This club orchestrated a "dictatorship" within the country, easily recruiting the best players from competitors thanks to the political system in place and the strong influence of the army. The young nugget of Czechoslovakian football would therefore stay there for 16 years, the time to establish himself as one of the best players of his time.

Winning his first national championship title in 1953, he became a staple of the Czechoslovak national team the following year. In total, he won the national championship 8 times and established himself as one of the best players in history in his position.

Placed in the defensive midfield or central midfield position alongside Svatopluk Pluskal, they formed one of the best duos in history in their position and together won an international title, that of the International Soccer League in 1961 and 3 American Challenge Cup titles, won 3 times consecutively.

On the international scene, the duo is considered the best of its time with Pluskal in defensive duties and Masopust who is a real deep playmaker who does not hesitate to move up to provide extra numbers in the offensive phase. Although his popularity struggles to cross borders, the 1962 World Cup will change everything.

In the first match of the competition, Josef Masopust faced Brazil, a 0-0 draw with Pelé's infamous injury. Masopust then showed immense fair play, the "Knight of Football", refused to defend harder on Pelé, who was already injured. He refused physical contact with the latter and was praised by the Brazilian players, notably Djalma Santos who called him a "gentleman".

Carrying his team, he reached the World Cup final a few days later, during a new match against Brazil. Masopust also showed all his offensive qualities during an emblematic match where he scored the 1-0 goal after a superb deep ball call. Unfortunately, the Brazilian team was much superior and won the final 3-1.

Masopust was voted second best player of the competition behind Garrincha who was sparkling. After his wonderful year in 1962, he won the Ballon d'Or and entered a very closed circle of legendary players of this sport. Another feat of the player, he had already led the Czech Republic to a 3rd place at Euro 1960.

Pelé would say of the player: "It's not possible! He's not a European, he's not a Czech. He's a Brazilian! Why isn't he one of us like Didi, like Garrincha?" Masopust was certainly one of the most technical players in Europe at the time. One of the best playmakers of the time who made his mark and revolutionized his position as a player sitting deep on the pitch to make it an offensive weapon, helped by the defensive efforts of Svatopluk Pluskal.

When he was 37, the player was allowed to leave his native country to play abroad, which he did. He then joined the Royal Crossing Molenbeek club in Belgium before retiring in 1970, at the age of 39.

- Golden Ball in 1962

- 2nd best player of the World Cup in 1962

- Voted best Czechoslovakian player of the year in 1966

- Named to the FIFA 100

- Named to the World Cup tournament team of the year in 1962

- Named to the Euro tournament team of the year in 1960

- Voted "golden player" of the last 50 years of the Czech Republic by UEFA in 2003

- Voted best Czech player of the 20th century in 2000

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