Popluhar, who played 62 games for Czechoslovakia and scored one goal, was also in the team that finished third at the 1960 European championships.

He was picked as Slovakia's top footballer of the 20th century after Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

Popluhar spent most of his career at Slovan Bratislava helping the team win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1969 but moved to Lyon in France in the latter stages of his career.

He earned a reputation for his fair play, avoiding any bookings throughout his 19-year-long career.