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Valeriy GorbunovSoviet footballer, central defender. 1976 European champion among youth teams. Master of Sports of International Class (1976; stripped in 1978).
Date of Birth: 13.11.1953
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Valerii Gorbunov: A Talented Footballer with a Troubled Past
- Club Career Highlights
- Departure from Shakhtar Donetsk
- Career Decline and Later Years
Valerii Gorbunov: A Talented Footballer with a Troubled Past
Early Career and International SuccessValerii Gorbunov, a Soviet footballer, began his career as a central defender at the age of 19 with Shakhtar Donetsk. With the club, he achieved notable success in the Soviet Union, contributing to their return to the top flight in 1972. Gorbunov's international debut came in 1978, where he earned a single cap for the Soviet Union against Iran.
Club Career Highlights
Gorbunov's time with Shakhtar Donetsk was marked by both triumph and controversy. He was awarded the Master of Sports of International Class in 1976, which was later revoked in 1978. Despite this setback, he played a pivotal role in Shakhtar's triumph as silver medalists in 1975 and bronze medalists in 1978. He also contributed to the club's victory in the 1980 Soviet Cup, where he sustained a head injury that required him to finish the match with his head bandaged.
Departure from Shakhtar Donetsk
In 1978, Gorbunov disappeared from the Shakhtar squad after a European Cup match against Barcelona. He returned to the Soviet Union on his own through the Austrian embassy, an action that resulted in his suspension from the team for 10 months. He lost his Master of Sports of International Class title and was prohibited from traveling internationally.
Career Decline and Later Years
Gorbunov's playing career resumed in 1979, but his international aspirations were cut short. He was ultimately dismissed from Shakhtar in 1982 and denied reinstatement in any football club. In his later years, Gorbunov struggled with an unhealthy lifestyle and passed away in Gorlovka, Ukraine.
