Ilya Tsymbalar is a famous Russian footballer who has become a real idol for millions of Spartak fans. What is interesting about his biography and personal life?
Childhood and adolescence of a football player
Ilya Vladimirovich Tsymbalar was born on June 17, 1969 in Odessa. From birth, he began to get involved in football and spent a lot of time with his peers, playing in the yard. Once he was noticed and invited to the children's school of Odessa Chernomorets. This team was quite successful at that time.
Already at the football school, it was clear that Ilya had a great future in football. He has always played as a central midfielder and stood out for his excellent field vision, ability to conduct the game and the ability to pass at any distance.
Tsymbalar's sports career
Ilya began his performances in adult football in his native Chernomorets. It was this team that won the first Cup of Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR. Tsymbalar was already the team captain at the age of 23 at that time. The mature play of a young football player, beyond his years, could not pass by the big clubs.
So in 1993 Ilya ended up in Moscow Spartak. He was immediately loved by fans of the team all over the country. A cheerful, responsive and intelligent footballer came to the court in a new team. For Spartak Tsymbalar played about 150 matches and scored 42 goals. At the same time, he became the champion of Russia six times. And in 1995 he received the title of the best player of the year.
All Spartak fans with nostalgia remember the 90s of the 20th century. At that moment, Andrey Tikhonov, Yegor Titov, Dmitry Alenichev, Ilya Tsymbalar, Valery Kechinov and so on were playing in the team's midfield. But in terms of his talent and potential, it was Tsymbalar who was the main character in that team.
Gradually, talented youth began to replace the veterans, and in 2000 Ilya moved to Moscow Lokomotiv. But a serious injury did not allow the player to open up in the new club. He played in the base only 10 matches, but at the same time became the owner of the Russian Cup. Then there was his transition to Makhachkala Anzhi, in which Tsymbalar completed his football career.
Ilya first played for the Ukrainian national football team. In its composition, he played three matches. But then he received Russian citizenship and moved to the Russian national team. For her, the footballer played 28 matches and was a participant in the 1994 World Cup and 1996 European Championship.
Biography of Tsymbalar after football
Ilya did not say goodbye to football forever. At first he was vice-president of Anji. But he quickly realized that he wanted to be closer to the football field. Tsymbalar became a coach. At first he worked with the youth of Spartak. Then he moved to the position of head coach of the Khimki club.
Ilya achieved his greatest success when he headed the Ryazan football club Spartak - MZhK. He took the team to the First Division of the country and received the title of the best coach of the second division. But soon there were disagreements with the leadership of the team, and Tsymbalar left his post. Then he worked as a coach in Nizhny Novgorod, Shinnik, Khimki. In the last years of his life he played for the veterans of Spartak. But he always wanted to coach.
On December 28, 2013, Ilya Tsymbalar died of a heart attack. He was buried in his hometown Odessa. He had many ambitious plans for the future, which he never realized.
Athlete's personal life
All his life, the famous football player connected with the only woman - Irina, who bore him two sons. She is the sister of the famous defender of the Moscow Lokomotiv Gennady Nizhegorodov.
