Khoren Hovhannisyan, best midfielder of the USSR

The photograph shows the well-known Armenian footballer Khoren Hovhannisyan. He was considered one of the most talented footballers of Armenia and the Soviet Union. In 1983 the English weekly World Soccer named him the best midfielder of the Soviet Union.

Khoren Hovhannisyan played for the Yerevan club Ararat and was known for his technique and his understanding of the game. His play had a great influence on the development of Armenian football.

In the picture he kneels on a grass pitch in a red sports jacket and an orange training bib, with a football beside him.