Former Lokomotiv Moscow striker and Russia national team veteran Dmitry Bulykin commented on the situation surrounding Albanian defender Mario Mitai, arguing that Mitai rightly did not break into the club’s first team. He pushed back against his fellow player’s father, who claimed that Mitai had been trusted less by the coaches. These remarks were cited from a source attributed to a betting information outlet.
“A father is a father. He wants the best for his son. But there’s no reality where Mitai wasn’t trusted by the squad. Lokomotiv currently dresses the players who are ready for action. There was a stretch when Mitai was in the starting lineup”, Bulykin stated.
The former striker warned that Mitai could confront hurdles at Lokomotiv and suggested the club would not hesitate to move him on if needed.
“We could explore options for him in Europe, though it won’t be easy. I’m not sure what his salary is, but it’s likely above the average for many European clubs, which could complicate a move to a top-tier team”, Bulykin explained.
On the international stage, Mitai represented Albania and played in all three group-stage matches of the 2024 European Championship, typically entering the game from the opening minutes.
The 20-year-old defender appeared in 27 matches for Lokomotiv in the previous season, though he did not score any goals.
Earlier, Spartak acquired a player who trained at Real Madrid, signaling a history of high-profile acquisition connected to Mitai’s career trajectory [citation].
Context: The ongoing discussion around Mitai’s role at Lokomotiv continues to be shaped by contrasting views from former teammates, club executives, and national-team duties. Observers note the club’s current emphasis on readiness and squad depth, which influences decisions about lineups and potential transfers.