Zhanna, sister of former Moscow CSKA footballer Veniamin Mandrykin, stated yesterday that an autopsy on the player’s body showed the heart could not withstand the burden after a prolonged illness. The source is Match TV.
“An autopsy was performed yesterday and the diagnosis was confirmed. With a long illness behind him, the heart could not cope”, Zhanna said, noting the severity of the condition. The statement adds a personal dimension to the public facts about his passing.
Mandrykin died on August 6 at the age of 42. He wore the CSKA jersey from 2002 to 2005 and again in 2007. During his time with the club, CSKA earned three league titles, the Russian Super Cup, and four domestic cups. Mandrykin also had two appearances for the Russian national team. In 2003, he played in a friendly against Cyprus, a 1–0 victory, and he participated in a Euro 2004 qualifying match against Georgia, which ended 0–1 against Russia.
In 2000, Mandrykin was named among the top 33 players of the Russian championship, an accolade that underscored his standing in the domestic game at that time.
Beyond CSKA, Mandrykin also represented Tom Tomsk, Rostov, and Dynamo Bryansk. His professional journey began in 1997 with Alania Vladikavkaz, where he first rose to prominence and laid the groundwork for his later successes in Russian football.
Former teammate and contemporary Igor Akinfeev reacted to the news of Mandrykin’s passing, expressing condolences and reflecting on the impact Mandrykin had during their shared years in Russian football.