Former Zenit Striker Alexander Kokorin Speaks from St. about Zenit and His Current Role in Cyprus
Alexander Kokorin, the once-and-still formidable forward who rose through the ranks at Zenit and now plies his trade with Cyprus’s Aris, recently visited St. Petersburg. There, he shared his reflections on the club that helped forge his career and the path he has taken since moving abroad.
Asked about Zenit, Kokorin answered with warmth. He spoke of a deep affection for the club, a place tied to some of the strongest memories of his professional life. Yet he also acknowledged the present reality facing Zenit. In the current season, the team has not been competing in European tournaments, a factor that inevitably colors any discussion about the club’s ambitions. Kokorin drew a hopeful parallel, suggesting that Zenit could mirror success seen in other long-standing champions when they encounter periods without domestic or European trophies. He pointed to the desire for a sustained run of excellence, comparing Zenit’s journey to a club like Bayern Munich, which has built a legacy spanning decades, including stretches without certain trophies yet remaining a dominant force in their league and beyond.
Zenit continues to lead the Russian Premier League by a comfortable margin. With 58 points after 24 rounds, the squad stands ahead of the pack, and second place is nine points behind. The current title chase reflects Zenit’s consistency and the depth of their squad across the season. This context matters for Kokorin, who remains closely tied to the state of Russian football and its top club’s trajectory, even as he pursues his career in Cyprus.
Last summer, Kokorin transitioned to Aris in Cyprus. His contract runs through the summer of 2023, and this season he has been a key contributor for the Cypriot side. Across 23 league appearances, he has found the back of the net ten times, underscoring his enduring scoring ability and his value within the Aris squad. The move to Cyprus marks a new chapter for a player who has faced both dramatic highs and challenging moments in his career, and it has provided him with the chance to showcase his talents in a different footballing environment.
On matters beyond his club career, Kokorin has spoken about the complexities of national team management and his relationship with the Russian national team. Acknowledging a difficult conversation with Fabio Capello, the former coach of the Russian national squad, Kokorin reflected on his past contributions to the national team. In total, he represented Russia in 47 international matches and scored 12 goals. His national team duties included moments of significance, and his last appearance for Russia came in November 2017, a reminder of the long arc of his international career and the competitive landscape that followed.
Today, Kokorin continues to balance the demands of club football with the lingering memories of his international career. His tenure at Zenit remains a central chapter in his story—one that fans in St. Petersburg still remember with enthusiasm and pride. The conversation around Zenit’s current phase, combined with Kokorin’s ongoing role in Cyprus, paints a portrait of a player who has never stopped moving, always evaluating opportunities, and always willing to reflect on the past while pursuing the next challenge with the same energy that carried him to the pinnacle of Russian football.