Georgy Tigiev, the former Spartak defender, spoke about his journey toward recognizing psychology as a tool during his years with the Moscow club.
“About five years ago, I was with Spartak and confronted the question of what this work actually is. I believed I could handle things myself, that I didn’t need a psychologist. I showed up, spoke for about 40 minutes, and offered ten thoughts in return. The psychologist found it hard to keep up. I challenged him, arguing that psychology was a constructed profession. He enrolled me in a program. The person leading it was Svetlana. He later described her as someone who came with a polished setup, a real money hunter. The whole scene looked impressive—the office, the psychologist Svetlana—very serious,” Tigiev recalls in a conversation about his experience.
Tigiev wore Spartak colors from 2017 to 2021, contributing to the club’s success as Russia’s champion in the 2016/2017 season. During his career, he also represented Wings of the Sovets and Dynamo Minsk, adding layers to his European experience as a defender.
Since 2021, Tigiev has remained active in the media football circuit, currently playing for Fight Nights. His public remarks reflect a broader trend among athletes who explore mental skills as a pathway to performance and resilience on and off the field.
In the Russian Premier League, after the 25th round, Zenit maintains the lead with 61 points, while Rostov holds a 11-point gap in second place. Spartak sits in the top three with 49 points, illustrating the tight competition across the league and the constant travel between elite teams and emerging talents.
Earlier comments from other players, such as Igor Denisov, have touched on preparedness and performance, highlighting the ongoing discussion about mental readiness and its impact on field performance. Analysts note that attitudes toward psychological support vary, but many players now acknowledge that mental conditioning is a practical complement to physical training and tactical preparation.