Former football figure and former coach of Moscow Spartak Valery Gladilin recently voiced a clear stance on Artem Dziuba’s prospects with the Russian national team. He argued that there is little value in inviting the Lokomotiv striker to the national squad anytime soon. Gladilin explained that the decision comes from the national team’s leadership and should be respected. He echoed a similar view himself, noting that Dziuba will reach 35 next year and that the player’s peak years are behind him. In his view, Dziuba should not be considered for future national duty.
Dziuba, who is 34 years old, joined Lokomotiv during the winter transfer window after a stint abroad. His most recent club was Adana Demirspor in Turkey, from which his contract was terminated in late 2022, leaving him without a team for several weeks. His career has seen high points and standout moments, but recent moves have raised questions about the timing and fit of his return to international competition.
In a recent league match against Krasnodar, Dziuba had a moment that drew attention beyond the final result. He did not convert a penalty kick in the 20th round of the Russian Premier League, yet Lokomotiv still secured victory with a 3–2 scoreline. Dziuba did manage to contribute decisively later in the game, scoring the winning goal in the 65th minute, a moment that underscored his enduring quality in front of goal even as questions about his national team prospects persist.
The broader debate surrounding Dziuba’s age and form has featured other seasoned voices as well. Alexander Mostovoy, a former star of the Russian national team, recently shared his own assessment of how long the striker could continue to compete at the top level. The conversation reflects a cautious approach within Russian football circles, balancing respect for Dziuba’s past achievements with a realistic appraisal of his current form and the team’s evolving needs. Analysts note that national team selection often hinges on current performance, tactical fit, and the direction the coaching staff wishes to pursue in the coming years. For supporters, the question remains whether Dziuba can recapture his best levels in domestic competition and whether those performances would translate to international duties at the highest stage.
From Lokomotiv’s perspective, the decision to consider or not consider Dziuba for national duty aligns with a broader strategy of building a squad capable of sustained success. The club is balancing veteran leadership with opportunities for younger forwards to prove themselves, a common approach in modern football as teams look toward future campaigns. Dziuba’s experience and versatility may still offer value at club level, where his presence can influence teammates and mentor younger players. In the meantime, discussions about his international future continue to unfold among fans, pundits, and former players who weigh the merits of loyalty to a star who wore the national jersey with pride against the realities of current performance metrics and team direction.
Ultimately, the question of Dziuba’s suitability for the national team rests with the coaching staff and the federation. They will assess his form, fitness, and the tactical requirements of potential national campaigns. For now, the prevailing sentiment among several seasoned observers is that the national team should prioritize players who are at or near their peak and who demonstrate active, consistent impact in domestic competition. Dziuba’s career, marked by notable achievements and memorable moments, remains a significant chapter in Russian football, with the door to national consideration potentially reopening only if there is clear evidence of sustained high-level performance in the near term. Attribution and ongoing commentary come from veteran voices within Russian football circles and contemporary analysts following the RPL and international selections.”