Nikita Pavlovich Simonyan dies at 99

Nikita Pavlovich Simonyan, a true Spartak legend and Olympic champion, has passed away at the age of 99.

The news of the outstanding footballer and coach’s death was reported to Match TV by Alexander Mirzoyan, President of the Russian Football Veterans Union. According to him, Simonyan felt unwell on November 20 and was taken to hospital, where he passed away today.

Nikita Pavlovich was born on October 12, 1926, in Armavir. He represented the USSR national team in the 1950s and won Olympic gold at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.

After retiring as a player, Simonyan turned to coaching. One of the brightest achievements of his managerial career was Ararat Yerevan’s historic championship title in 1973 — a triumph that secured the club’s place in the annals of Soviet football.

Rest in peace, legend.