Lokomotiv’s forward Artem Dzyuba appeared on the YouTube show “Well, you can’t do that,” where he weighed in on the remarks of Spartak legend Andrei Tikhonov. Dzyuba challenged Tikhonov’s preference for a championship with the red-and-white club over a World Championship title, arguing that loyalty to a home club can shape a player’s legacy in lasting ways. The discussion touched not just on personal trophies but on what fans remember most—those big moments tied to a beloved team and the pride of wearing its colors. Dzyuba’s take, delivered with the straightforward bluntness that fans have come to expect from him, raised a simple but pointed question: should a player’s career be measured by national team glory or by the triumphs achieved with the club that sparked their fame? And he did not hesitate to push back against a sentiment he sees as misaligned with a player’s actual record and contributions. He reminded viewers that a champion’s resume is built through consistency, leadership, and the ability to lift a squad to sustained success. The exchange, which circulated widely among fans, emphasized the reverberating influence of club allegiance in the psyche of supporters and the press alike, especially in Russian football where club loyalties run deep and memories are long.
During his tenure with Spartak Moscow from 2006 to 2015, Dzyuba became part of the club’s extended legacy and fan affection. He remains associated with Spartak as part of the club’s historical fabric. In the current season, he has appeared in 16 Russian Premier League matches and four National Cup fixtures, contributing four goals and three assists, a stat line that underscores his continued relevance and goal-involvement for his team in national competitions. This record sits against the broader narrative of a career that has traversed different teams and stages, yet still circles back to the club where he first rose to prominence. Dzyuba’s comments thus resonate not only as a personal stance but as a reflection on how fans evaluate the career arc of a star who once defined a season for Spartak.
Andrei Tikhonov defended Spartak’s colors from 1992 to 2000, with his farewell appearance for the red and whites coming in 2011. Across his tenure, Tikhonov helped lead Spartak to multiple Russian championships, shaping a era of the club’s history that fans still reference when discussing the club’s golden years. The discussion around his legacy intersects with Dzyuba’s remarks, inviting contemplation about the balance between national team success and domestic league triumphs as measures of a player’s greatness. It also raises questions about how long a legend’s shadow lasts and how former players continue to influence contemporary conversations in the sport.
Earlier in the conversation, Slutsky offered his perspective when asked about a possible transfer of Dzyuba to Shanghai Shenhua, a reminder that transfer talk often intersects with a player’s past loyalties and future opportunities. This exchange illustrates the ongoing attention given to Dzyuba as a figure in Russian football, where career decisions and public statements frequently become talking points that extend beyond the pitch.