Anatoly Banishevsky

Anatoliy Andreyevich Banishevskiy (; ; 23 February 1946 – 10 December 1997) was an Azerbaijani footballer who played as a forward. Throughout most of his playing and coaching career, Banishevskiy was committed to his originally domestic club, Neftçi. He is widely considered the greatest Azerbaijani footballer of all time.

He played for the Soviet Union national football team, winning 51 caps and scoring 20 goals. Banishevskiy played for the Soviet side in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, as well as in European Championship 1968 and 1972. His club team was Neftçi, and he scored 136 goals in Soviet Top League competition.

In November 2003, as part of the celebration of UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player for Azerbaijan by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan as the country's most outstanding player over the past 50 years.

Early years Banishevskiy was born in Baku to a family of Ukrainian descent.

He started playing football at the age of 16 and played all of his career for Neftçi, transforming into one of the best Azerbaijani players.

Club career Upon making the club's senior roster at the age of 16, Banishevskiy immediately emerged into one of the young talents of his generation. Banishevskiy maintained his status of a premier Azerbaijani player, and remained an influential football figure throughout his football profession and beyond.

International career Banishevskiy made his international debut at 19 years old on 4 July 1965 for USSR against Brazil during a friendly match. His international career ended in final of the 1972 European Championship match loss against West Germany.

Coaching career After retiring as a player, Banishevskiy briefly coached Neftçi and Automobilist Mingachevir. He has also worked as youth coach of Burkina Faso during 1987–1988 period. However, he was rescued from this difficult situation by his old supporter and beloved follower Saida, who cared for him in his last years of his life and ultimately married him.

On 10 December 1997, Banishevskiy died after a third diabetic coma attack, having also suffered pancreatitis.

Personal life His grandson Ali Babayev Banishevskiy began to play in the youth team of Neftçi in 2011 when he was 15. Currently, Ali plays professional football in Azerbaijan's First Division for Shusha FK.

Honours The home stadium of FK Masallı football club was renamed to Anatoliy Banishevskiy Stadium in his honor.

As a player USSR World Cup fourth place: 1966 European Championship second place: 1972 European Championship fourth place: 1968 Neftçi Soviet Top League bronze medals: 1966

Other achievements Grigory Fedotov club's member: 38th with 115 goals List of the bests 33: 2nd (1965, 1966, 1967)