Josef Masopust
Awards & Honours
4
Awards Won
5
Honours
3
Rankings
3
Records
Josef Masopust's achievements stand as a testament to his extraordinary talent in an era when Eastern Bloc players rarely received global recognition. Winning the Ballon d'Or in 1962 was a historic first for any Czech or Eastern Bloc player, and it remains the only time a Czech has won the award as of 2026. Being voted Czech Footballer of the Century ahead of legends like Josef Bican and Antonín Panenka reflects his enduring impact. UEFA's selection of him as the Golden Player for the Czech Republic further cements his status as the nation's greatest footballer. His inclusion in Pelé's FIFA 100 list placed him among the elite of world football.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Statue at Dukla Prague stadium
Bronze statue unveiled in front of the stadium.
Statue in hometown Most
Honors his legacy in his birthplace.
Czech Footballer of the Century
Voted best Czech footballer of the 20th century.
UEFA Golden Player
Named Czech Republic's best player of the past 50 years.
FIFA 100
Included in Pelé's list of the 125 greatest living footballers.
Rankings & Lists
Czech Footballer of the Century
UEFA Golden Player
FIFA 100
Records & Feats
First Czech to win the Ballon d'Or
Won the 1962 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Czech and first Eastern Bloc player to receive the award.
Only Czech Ballon d'Or winner as of 2026
No other Czech player has won the Ballon d'Or since Masopust in 1962.
First Eastern Bloc Ballon d'Or winner
He was the first player from behind the Iron Curtain to win the Ballon d'Or.