The general director of CSKA, Roman Babaev, expressed appreciation for an interview given by Pontus Wernbloom, a former midfielder of the army club. Babaev noted that Wernbloom had apologized to the Swedish people for his time playing in Russia, a sentiment he described as quoted by RIA News.
Babaev characterized the interview as a form of trolling, suggesting that Wernbloom revealed himself in a way that entertained the Swedish audience. He added that the former player appeared in his best light during the conversation, pushing the Swedish public to take notice and respond to the remarks with interest.
In the interview, Wernbloom spoke about his experiences with the CSKA Moscow base, where he asserted he was prepared and ready to share his readiness and perspective. This candidness drew attention from fans and analysts who followed his career trajectory closely.
Wernbloom wore the CSKA Moscow jersey from 2012 to 2018, a period during which he helped the club secure several domestic trophies. While with the army team, he claimed the Russian championship title three times. His trophy cabinet also includes the Russian Cup, which he won once, and the country’s Super Cup on two occasions. Over the span of his CSKA career, the midfielder appeared in 224 official matches across all competitions, recording 22 goals and 17 assists, showcasing his impact in both scoring and playmaking roles.
After leaving CSKA, Wernbloom announced his retirement from professional football in 2021. His final club as a player was IFK Göteborg in Sweden, marking the club where he began his professional journey at the senior level. Throughout his career, he also had stints with Dutch side AZ and Greek club PAOK, experiences that broadened his exposure to different leagues and styles of play.
There was prior public commentary from Romantsev noting that Wernbloom had been engaged as a guest player-manager, a description that has circulated in discussions about his post-playing career and involvement with football-related activities. This broader conversation about Wernbloom’s post-CSKA phases reflects the ongoing interest in how former players transition into new roles after retiring from the game.