Oleg Yarovinsky, once the sports director for CSKA and Rubin Kazan, recounted a peculiar episode involving a legionnaire who visited the army club under unusual circumstances. The tale centers on a player from a Middle Eastern country who arrived at the club at the request of a person with considerable influence. When Yarovinsky stepped onto the practice field, it became clear that the man carried a striking physical oddity: there were no calf muscles visible, the leg muscles simply not formed. The leg structure appeared flat, as if the limb was cut away from the rest of the body in a way that would normally impede motion. Yet the player did not limp, a surprising detail that stood out to those who observed him. He carried himself with a quiet confidence and intelligence, went through the drills with a calm focus, and after the session, left the field without fanfare. Those who spoke with the influential intermediary explained, in clear terms, that CSKA could not field a team member with a functional limitation on a single leg. The blunt assessment underscored the seriousness of the club’s standards and the practical realities of professional football in the top flight [citation: Sports Express].
In the current Russian Premier League season, CSKA is maintaining a solid form, having accumulated 35 points across 20 rounds and occupying fifth place in the standings. The team remains competitive, balancing attacking intent with a disciplined defense, and fans have watched as the squad has navigated a demanding schedule with consistency. The upcoming fixture pits the army club against Fakel Voronezh, a match scheduled to take place on April 2 and ready to kick off at 16:30 Moscow time. This clash represents another chance for CSKA to demonstrate its resilience and tactical adaptability, especially in light of the recent personnel conversations and the broader challenges faced by clubs in the league this season [citation: Sports Express].
Oleg Yarovinsky later reflected on the lasting impression of the moment, noting that the episode lingered in the minds of those involved and in the conversations surrounding CSKA’s leadership. The phrase still whispered among supporters and insiders alike—reflecting on the boundaries between talent, opportunity, and the harsh realities of professional competition—shows how a single practice session can crystallize broader questions about the club’s direction under its president Evgeny Giner. The remark highlighted the tension between ambition and practicality that often plays out behind the scenes in top-level football, where decisions are measured not only by skill, but by the feasibility of contributing to the team in meaningful, long-term ways. The anecdote continues to be cited as a reminder that elite clubs must balance openness to talent with strict standards for performance and physical capability [citation: Sports Express].