Igor Akinfeev, the longtime CSKA goalkeeper, spoke in an interview on a popular YouTube channel, offering a portrait of the ideal keeper. He named a triad of abilities that shape his view: growth in handling and decision making inspired by Courtois, precise footwork and positioning echoing Neuer, and the kind of plasticity seen in Mendy. He described this trio as a valuable set that forms a kind of personal plaster for goalkeeping. He stressed that he does not inject anything new into his game, acknowledging his own age and the stage of his career as defining limits.
Akinfeev made his international debut for Russia in 2004 and went on to amass 111 appearances for the national team. During his time with Russia, he conceded 95 goals and kept the sheet clean in 24 matches. The record for most appearances on the national team is held by Sergei Ignashevich, who earned 127 caps for the senior squad.
After three rounds in the Russian Premier League, CSKA sits in third place with seven points. The club, historically one of the league’s strongest forces, shares the same tally with Zenit in first place and Spartak in second, but trails on additional indicators such as head-to-head results and goal difference.
In reflecting on his career with the national team, Akinfeev has explained that the decision to step away came in 2018, marking a transition that many players face as the years go by and new generations emerge. The veteran keeper has continued to contribute at the club level, where his experience remains a critical asset for CSKA as the season unfolds and the squad pursues domestic and continental ambitions. He remains a respected figure among teammates and fans for his consistency, leadership, and deep understanding of the game, qualities that continue to influence younger players and fortify the club’s defensive discipline.