Jaroslav Pollák

Jaroslav Pollák (11 July 1947 – 26 June 2020) was a Slovak footballer. He played as a midfielder. He played for Czechoslovakia national team in 49 matches and scored one goal. He was nicknamed "Bobby" because of his playing style compared to Bobby Charlton. He was renowned as a strong defensive midfielder who stood out for his leadership on the pitch and he was a complete playmaker who was known for his pace, man-marking, tackling, passing and his intelligence. Considered as one of the best midfielders in his prime.

Club career
Jaroslav Pollák began playing football at FC VSS Košice. He made his debut in 1965 at the age of 18 in the 1st Czechoslovak League. stayed in Košice until 1977, despite several offers. After two years at Dukla Banská Bystrica, Pollák moved to Sparta Prague in 1979. 1981 the player went to Austria Salzburg, for whom he made 65 Bundesliga appearances. In 1983, Pollák returned to Czechoslovakia and joined his old club, which had meanwhile been renamed ZŤS Košice and played in the second league. In the summer of 1988, Jaroslav Pollák ended his active career at the age of almost 41. In the 1st Czechoslovak League, Pollák completed 418 games in which he scored 25 goals.

International career
Jaroslav Pollák made his debut in the Czechoslovak national team on 23 June 1968 when  Czechoslovakia defeated Brazil 3-2 in Bratislava. He was a participant at the 1970 FIFA World Cup and  Euro 1976, where his team won the gold medal, and also at  UEFA Euro 1976 where the team won the title. Pollák made his last of 49 international matches on March 26, 1980, when Czechoslovakia lost 2-0 to Switzerland in Basel.

Death
Pollák died on 26 June 2020 at the age of 72.

Honours
Czechoslovakia
UEFA European Championship: 1976

Individual
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1976

 References 

Category:1947 births
Category:Slovak footballers
Category:1970 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2020 deaths
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:FC Red Bull Salzburg players