Valentin Kozmich Ivanov (Russian: Валентин Козьмич Иванов, 19 November 1934 – 8 November 2011) was a Russian footballer who played as a midfielder. He was the co-leading scorer at the 1962 World Cup, and the co-1960 European Nations' Cup top scorer.
Ivanov appeared 59 times for the Soviet Union, scoring 26 goals. He is the Soviet national football team's third-highest goalscorer of all time, behind only Oleg Blokhin and Oleg Protasov. One of the finest Russian players ever, Ivanov was noted for his pace, dribbling quality and technical ability.
Ivanov's four goals in the 1962 World Cup saw him named the tournament's top-scorer, along with five other players; he also scored one in the 1958 edition. He spent most of his club career with Torpedo Moscow, scoring 124 goals in 286 appearances in the Soviet Championship, the 9th all-time best record.
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Personal life and death
Ivanov married Lidiya Ivanova, an Olympic champion in gymnastics in 1956 and 1960. Their son, also named Valentin (born 1961), is a retired international football referee.
Ivanov died on 8 November 2011, shortly before his 77th birthday, following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Career statistics
International
Scores and results list Soviet Union's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ivanov goal.
Honours
Torpedo Moscow
Soviet Top League: 1960, 1965
Soviet Cup: 1960
Soviet Union
UEFA European Football Championship: 1960, runner-up 1964
Olympic Gold Medal: 1956
Individual
The best 33 football players of the Soviet Union (12): No. 1 (1955, 1957-1964); No. 2 (1953, 1956, 1965)
UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 1960
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1960, 1964
FIFA World Cup Top Scorer: 1962
Soviet Footballer of the Year: Second Place: 1964
UEFA Jubilee Poll (2004): #45