Former CSKA and USSR national football player Vladimir Ponomarev joined coach Evgeny Kaleshin in voicing concern about the current state of Russian football, sharing his viewpoint in an interview with RB Sports [RB Sports].
He stated that the sport in Russia is deteriorating and argued for a drastic shift: to remove foreigners from domestic leagues. His reasoning is that European competition opportunities once relied on foreign players, but now such dynamics have shifted due to extraordinary circumstances. He urged Russian clubs to prioritize homegrown talent instead of relying on foreign loan arrangements to boost results abroad.
The veteran recalled a time in the 1960s when the league featured no foreign players, and the level of play was strong enough to challenge perceptions of talent. He contrasted that era with today, noting that while there was skepticism toward Scandinavian players back then, there is now a sense of disillusionment toward external influences broadly speaking, with a provocative reference to other nationalities as examples to highlight his point about domestic development.
According to Ponomarev, the focus should shift away from European competitions and toward strengthening the domestic foundation, arguing that the health of the sport in Russia benefits from cultivating local players who can compete at the highest levels without depending on external talent. He acknowledged that the national team has faced ups and downs and highlighted the performance of several players as representing the current standard of international play, while suggesting that the overall depth is what matters for sustained success.
In recent results, Russia defeated Cuba with a resounding 8:0 scoreline. This match was part of a series of friendlies conducted in 2023 as Russian teams have faced restrictions that limit participation in broader international competitions controlled by global bodies. The landscape for the national team and Russian clubs remains shaped by these constraints, which has influenced scheduling, preparation, and strategic focus ahead of future fixtures.
Historically, the situation was influenced by governance decisions in 2022, when the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) suspended Russia from their competitions. The impact of the suspension extended to domestic leagues as well, altering club financing and the distribution of salaries among players. The discussion around salaries continues to be a point of contention as clubs seek to maintain competitiveness while navigating a constrained international environment.
Analysts note that the financial dynamics of Russian Premier League clubs often involve substantial wage costs, which in turn affects transfer strategies, youth development investments, and long term sustainability. The debate around the right mix of foreign and homegrown players remains central to conversations about building a resilient football infrastructure in Russia. Observers emphasize the importance of creating pathways for young talents, improving coaching, and ensuring that domestic leagues offer a clear progression from academy to first team, so players can mature without overreliance on overseas experiences. The broader question remains how Russian football can regain momentum while aligning with international standards and preserving national identity on the pitch. [Citation: RB Sports]