Artem Dzyuba, the experienced Russian forward now with Akron Tolyatti, spoke about personal boundaries and media exposure during an episode of the YouTube show Natal Map. The segment touched on his decision to restrict his wife Kristina from using social networks, a move that mirrors a wider debate about privacy and public life in modern football. The conversation underscored how even star players navigate the blur between private life and public perception, especially when social media is so central to image and branding in today’s game.
During the discussion, Dzyuba voiced a sharp view on social media as a platform for self-promotion. He asked who the posts are for and what purpose they serve. For me it’s usually some kind of complete nonsense. What is the need to show yourself to the world, for whom are you striving? What is the purpose of this? Showing your ass, breasts or anything to show your self-confidence is generally nonsense, Dzyuba said. His remarks reflected a candid belief that online visibility should be purposeful rather than performative, a sentiment that resonates with many athletes who seek to protect balance between private life and public scrutiny.
On the field, the 36-year-old forward joined Akron Tolyatti as a free agent on the last day of the domestic transfer window. The move followed his recent season with Lokomotiv Moscow, and it marked a new chapter in a long career spent in Russian football. His arrival brought a veteran presence to Akron’s attack, with expectations that his experience could help steer the club through a demanding schedule in the top flight.
His Akron debut came in a 3-0 victory over Khimki, a game that showcased the team’s coordinated approach and an early contribution from the veteran striker. In the same period, he added an assist in a league match near Moscow, demonstrating his ability to influence games beyond scoring and to link play between midfield and attack as the team adapted to a new system and teammates.
In total, Dzyuba has registered one goal and three assists for Akron so far, a start that reflects the required adjustment period and the need for greater chemistry with teammates. The club has emphasized that his presence brings leadership and finishing quality as they navigate a busy campaign in Russia’s premier division, where every match offers a step toward climbing the table and building confidence across the squad.
On October 5, Akron were involved in a 2-2 draw with Paris Nizhny Novgorod in the round of 12 of the Russian Premier League. The game stretched into stoppage time and finished with the visitors managing to pull even late on. Dzyuba did not capitalize on a late chance to seal the win, a reminder that even seasoned forwards must work through periods of adjustment and find rhythm within a new team structure.
Earlier in his career, Dzyuba explained that salary considerations played a role in his departure from Spartak Moscow, a decision that underscored the financial realities players weigh when making moves. The veteran striker has spent his career across several top clubs in Russia, and such decisions form part of the broader narrative of his long professional journey, where experience, form, and market dynamics all intersect on the path through domestic football.