Legendary Nikita Simonyan Has Passed Away

On November 11, at the age of 99, legendary former footballer and coach Nikita Simonyan passed away.
 

During his football career, Nikita Simonyan played for Moscow’s Spartak and, with 162 goals, remains the club’s all-time top scorer. With Spartak, he became USSR champion four times and won the Cup twice. In 1956, as a member of the USSR national team, he became an Olympic champion.
 

Under Simonyan’s leadership, Ararat became USSR champion and Cup winner in 1973. With Spartak, he won the championship title twice and the Cup four times.
 

FFA President Armen Melikbekyan Has Sent a Condolence Message
 

“We learned with deep sorrow about the passing of the legendary coach and great football star Nikita Simonyan. For decades, his name was synonymous with the game of football for us. Nikita Simonyan always shone—as a footballer, coach, and official—inscribing his name in golden letters in the history of Armenian and Soviet football. Under his leadership, he gifted Armenian fans the victories of Ararat-73, becoming the pride of an entire nation.
 

“It is especially admirable that Nikita Simonyan remained involved in football everyday life until his last days, working and devoting himself to the game, always displaying his astonishing modesty and strength of spirit. Nikita Simonyan’s football legacy and personal qualities will remain a lasting example of the highest sporting and human values. On behalf of the Football Federation of Armenia and the Armenian football family, I extend my deepest condolences to Nikita Simonyan’s family, friends, and all those connected with his name and work.”