Serbian Football Union Pays Tribute to Football Legend Nikita Simonyan

The Football Association of Serbia has extended its condolences following the passing of the legendary Nikita Simonyan, a star of Moscow’s Spartak and the USSR national team.

«Nikita Simonyan was an iconic player for Moscow’s Spartak and the USSR national team, and later a coach, who passed away at the age of 99. He made a profound impact on Spartak, winning numerous trophies and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer.

On the international stage, Simonyan also left a remarkable legacy. While representing the national team, he secured a gold medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, triumphing over Yugoslavia in the final.

After retiring from playing, he committed himself to coaching, achieving success with Spartak and Yerevan’s Ararat, before becoming the coach of the USSR national team. For many years, he held leadership roles within the Russian Football Union.

Simonyan was held in high regard around the world. He shared a close friendship with legends like Pelé and Maradona, who viewed him as one of the most influential and distinguished figures of Soviet football. Notably, Simonyan was a part of the draw ceremony for the 2018 World Cup in Moscow, an event in which the Serbian national team also participated.

Nikita Simonyan will be remembered as one of the most significant footballers and sports figures—a symbol of an era and a name forever etched in football history,» reads the organization’s message on social media platform X.