Former Russian national team player Alexander Kerzhakov says he now spends well under 300,000 rubles each month, a figure he discussed with Championship. He adds, “I live according to my pocket. Living within your means is a completely normal story. Now I understand how poorly I managed my money when I had a lot of money.”
That approach to money mirrors a broader shift among athletes who have earned substantial sums and later want to protect their financial stability. The stance also resonates with fans in Canada and the United States who follow European football and the real-life choices players make after peak earning years. Kerzhakov’s mindset isn’t just about numbers; it’s about sustainable living and making decisions that align with long-term aims beyond the flash of a big contract.
Kerzhakov is Russia’s all-time top scorer in tandem with Artem Dzyuba, with both players tallying 30 goals for the national team. The achievement marks a defining period in Russian football, underscoring how one prolific striker can shape the national team’s attacking identity across generations.
June 2023 marked the start of Kerzhakov’s coaching chapter at Serbian club Spartak. In the domestic league, the team posted five wins in 14 matches under his leadership. On November 13, 2023, Spartak parted ways with him as the club sat 11th in the standings, having secured just one victory in its previous seven games, a decline that prompted the change in management.
Prior to that assignment, Kerzhakov guided Cypriot side Karmiotissa from early February 2023. During his tenure there, the team played seven matches, recording two victories, four defeats, and one draw, after which he stepped down as head coach at his own request. In 2024 he later appeared for Kazakh club Kairat, continuing his varied coaching journey across multiple leagues.
Earlier, Kerzhakov urged observers not to draw direct comparisons between Alexander Golovin and Andrey Arshavin, emphasizing that each player brings a unique style to Russia’s football landscape and should be judged on his own merits rather than rivaling careers.