"There are footballers whom I consider outstanding and whom I can definitely call my favorite. Lev Yashin among Russian and Soviet players, and Pele among foreign ones. I also like Maradona very much," Putin said in an interview with China Media Group.

Yashin, who is pictured in the official 2018 FIFA World Cup poster, was voted the best goalkeeper of the 20th century and remains the only goalkeeper to have received the Ballon d'Or award as the best player of the year.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in 11 Russian cities from June 14 to July 15, with the host nation set to face Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A.