Valery Kechinov, once a midfielder for Moscow’s Spartak and a member of the Russian national team, disclosed in an interview with socialbites.ca that he accepted an invitation from the Russian Football Union to participate in a match against a world select team.
The charity-style contest features veterans from Spartak facing a global lineup, scheduled for September 9 at the Otkritie Bank Arena. The game is organized in memory of Ilya Tsymbalar, aiming to honor his contribution to Russian football.
Kechinov commented that he received a formal proposal from the RFU, and if circumstances align, he could join the squad. He expressed a straightforward readiness to participate without prioritizing any single teammate from the world team, emphasizing a sense of camaraderie over individual matchups.
“As soon as the opportunity came from the RFU, I considered it seriously. I would be glad to reconnect with the entire world squad, share stories, and play together. There isn’t a specific person I feel compelled to speak with beforehand,” Kechinov stated. He highlighted the personal value of meeting peers and the chance to relive memories on the pitch, noting that while veteran matches already bring occasional reunions, such occasions do not occur with every former opponent or teammate. The primary goal, he added, is to see familiar faces, engage in dialogue when possible, and experience positive emotions from the gathering.
The news comes amid broader discussions about the composition and leadership of major clubs in Russia. In a related development, Stanislav Cherchesov was mentioned in connection with an offer to take over Spartak, underscoring ongoing conversations about leadership roles within Russian football clubs.