Manuchar Machaidze

Manuchar Machaidze (Georgian: მანუჩარ მაჩაიძე; Russian: Манучар Доментьевич Мачаидзе, Manuchar Domentyevich Machaidze; born 25 March 1949) is a Georgian former footballer who played as a midfielder for Dinamo Tbilisi,^[1][2][3] Pakhtakor Tashkent,^[4] Spartak Moscow^{[5][6][7][8][9]} and Torpedo Kutaisi^[10] during his club career, and is most famous for his time at Dinamo Tbilisi, which were a powerful and successful club – ever present at the highest level of Soviet football,^[11] where he won numerous accolades. His younger brother, Gocha Machaidze,^[12] also a footballer, served as a prolific defender and defensive midfielder for the same clubs as him.

A deep-lying playmaker, who was also operated in the classic number 7 position, Machaidze is the only player in the Georgian football history, who lifted the Soviet Crystal Cup as captain twice, first^[13] when in 1976 the Georgians made a remarkable performance, winning their first trophy after a smashing 3–0^[14] victory against Ararat Yerevan in the final and second, when after the goalless draw Dinamo Tbilisi defeated Dynamo Moscow 5–4 on penalties in 1979.

Many sport journalists and football specialists not just in Georgia and former Soviet Union but internationally still consider him among the best Georgian and Soviet football players of its time. He was noted for his organizational ability, intelligence, technical skills, and exceptional stamina.^[15] By many football experts and observers he is still regarded also as the most productive captain of Dinamo Tbilisi when measured solely by the number of major trophies won. With one Soviet Top League title,^[16] two Soviet Cups and significant results in the national championship as well as the local and international ^{[17][18][19][20][21][22]} recognition or achievements at various tournaments. Besides all the above-mentioned during his period Dinamo Tbilisi became the Vice-Champion in 1977 and won Soviet Top League silver medals. Also four times took the third place and won bronze medals as well as became the Vice-Champion of the football tournament of the Summer Spartakiad of Peoples of the Soviet Union in 1979.^[23]

From 1995 to 1999 he was a member of the Parliament of Georgia.^[24][25] In Georgia, he is also known as an amateur artist^[26]

26 March 2013 in appreciation for his lifelong service to one's country and in recognition of his outstanding contribution over many years in Georgian Sport, on the basis of a decision by Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia he was awarded Highest Sports Title of Georgia — "Knight of Sport".^[27]