The CSKA Moscow leadership recently addressed the topic of Igor Akinfeev’s future with the club, with general director Roman Babaev offering a concise view that left room for possibility. His remarks suggested that a new agreement would hinge on Akinfeev’s own wishes, underscoring the goalkeeper’s importance to the team and the club’s willingness to discuss terms should the player decide he wants to continue his long-standing tenure in Red and Blue.
Akinfeev, who has spent his entire professional career with CSKA, remains under contract through the summer of 2024. His future beyond that date has been the subject of frequent speculation among supporters and pundits alike, given his status as a veteran presence and a symbol of consistency in the squad.
The 28th round of the Russian Premier League brought CSKA to a meeting with Zenit St. Petersburg on May 11, a clash staged at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg. The match ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Zenit, with CSKA conceding the decisive moment in the second half when Fedor Chalov, the army club’s forward, converted from the spot in the 58th minute. The game’s critical moment arrived after a clash in the box, with Mateo Cassierra of Zenit adjudged to have fouled Ilya Agapov, earning a penalty that Chalov neatly converted, sealing the result for the visitors.
Notably, Akinfeev did not feature in the starting lineup for this particular fixture. Instead, Vladislav Torop wore the captain’s gloves as CSKA fielded an alternative plan in Saint Petersburg. Torop stepped in to keep a clean sheet until the decisive goal, contributing to a closely fought battle between two of Russia’s most storied clubs.
With the league moving toward its final stretch, CSKA sits in sixth place in the standings, having accumulated 42 points. The position reflects a competitive season in which the club has balanced deep-rooted expectations with the realities of a demanding schedule, aiming to secure a strong finish and a solid foothold for the next campaign.
Earlier in the season, there were discussions around Akinfeev’s status within CSKA, highlighting the enduring conversations about his role and readiness for continued service. The veteran goalkeeper has remained a central figure in the club’s structure, and his potential extension would carry not only on-field implications but also significant symbolic weight for the squad’s sporting philosophy and leadership model.