Alexander Shuplyakov, a youth coach associated with Lokomotiv and mentor to Artem Dzyuba, commented on the striker’s plans after football ends. His remarks were shared by Metatations.
Shuplyakov suggested that Dzyuba might be weighing retirement. He noted that the athlete’s conditioning could hint at this direction, though he did not claim a final decision. The coach emphasized that it isn’t a certainty that Dzyuba is stepping away, just that the situation warrants consideration. The Bosnian player who previously joined Lokomotiv could influence Dzyuba’s long-term career path. Shuplyakov cautioned that they could be wrong and that an official announcement may still come. He added that Artyom’s future could become clearer by May.
Earlier in the winter, Lokomotiv announced the acquisition of 23-year-old Toulouse forward Said Hamulich. The strategic move reflected the club’s intent to bolster its attacking options.
Dzyuba signed with Lokomotiv for the 2022/23 season, and the arrangement was later extended under a 1+1 contract model. This kept him tied to the club for the near term while providing flexibility for both sides.
In this campaign, Dzyuba has appeared in 16 Russian Premier League matches and four National Cup fixtures, contributing four goals and three assists. In the previous season, the forward shared the team’s top scorer honor with Wilson Isidore and Anton Miranchuk, who joined the squad only for a portion of the campaign.
When asked about pursuing a career in cinema, Dzyuba offered a concise response in a single word, signaling a potential openness to different paths but avoiding a definitive stance at that moment.