A first from the East

A key member of the Czechoslovakian side that reached the 1962 World Cup final, Josef Masopust's exploits in that tournament helped him become the first player from Eastern Europe to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or as Europe's finest player in 1962.

He began his career in earnest when he was 16, joining the Most club in the northern Bohemian city where his father was a miner.

Initially playing up front as a forward, his coaches improved his contribution to the team by moving him to an attacking midfield role, from where he was doubly effective.

Different story

Unlike the disappointing 1958 World Cup the tale of Masopust and his compatriots unfolded much differently four years later in Chile as they overcame a first round group loss to Mexico (1-3), to qualify for the quarter-finals.

After dispatching Hungary in the quarters, they then took on and beat a talented Yugoslavia team that included Drazen Jerkovic to book a place in the final courtesy of a 3-1 win.

Brazil however awaited them for the title match in Santiago and despite taking a surprise 1-0 lead through Masopust, the holders proved just that little too strong and ran out 3-1 winners.

The "Czech Chevalier"

It was in a group match in Chile that Masopust also picked up the nickname of the "Czech Knight".

During the match against Brazil, he came up against the already great Pele who was in distress after tearing a leg muscle.

Masopust could easily have taken the ball from Pele but held off, seeing the Brazilian's distress. Pele returned the compliment by putting the ball out of play.

He capped the 1962 season with the Ballon d'Or against the stiff competition that featured Portuguese star Eusebio and Germany's Karl-Heinze Schnellinger.

Honour

He spent the majority of his career with ATK Prague scoring 79 goals in 386 games before moving to Belgium where he spent three seasons with Crossing Molenbeek.

When his playing days were over, he took up a coaching career with stops at Zbrojovska and Hasselt of Belgium before returning to coach Dukla.

In 1984, he became assistant coach to the Czech national side spending three years in the post before announcing his retirement.

In February, 2001, the Czech Republic honoured the 70-year-old Masopust for his service to the game, naming him the best national player of the past century.