Iraqi midfielder Osama Rashid praised Sergey Pinyaev, calling him the standout talent of the Russian squad. He conveyed his thoughts through Match TV, emphasizing the Russian youngster’s impact on the game. Rashid observed that Pinyaev is remarkably small yet astonishingly quick, a blend that makes him relentlessly troublesome for opponents. He also noted that Pinyaev plays for Lokomotiv, a club Rashid respects for its ability to produce players who challenge international defenses. According to Rashid, Pinyaev is currently the best player in the Russian national team, a claim made after closely watching his performances against tough competition.
During the March 26 match held in St. Petersburg, Pinyaev found the net, marking him as a historic scorer for the national team. At the time of the goal, he was 18 years, 4 months, and 24 days old, a milestone that set a new record for the youngest goal in the team’s history. The previous mark belonged to Dmitry Sychev, highlighting Pinyaev’s rapid ascent within Russian football and the promising future ahead for the teenager.
That same game also saw Anton Miranchuk, another midfielder from Lokomotiv, add his name to the scoresheet. The combined efforts of Pinyaev and Miranchuk underscored Lokomotiv’s influence in the national team setup and demonstrated the club’s ability to nurture young talents who can contribute at the highest level for Russia.
Pinyaev’s journey with the national team began in a clash against Tajikistan last November, where he debuted as a teenager. He became the youngest player to appear for Russia in senior international play, at 18 years and 15 days, a testament to his rapid development and the trust placed in him by the national team coaches. His early exposure to top-level international football has given him a valuable platform to grow, learn, and influence games even at a young age.
Earlier in December 2022, Pinyaev completed a transfer from Wings of the Russian Federation to Lokomotiv. In the Russian Premier League, he has already demonstrated his potential by featuring in three league matches and scoring once, which signaled the club’s confidence in his future contributions. His move represented a significant step in his career, aligning a prolific young talent with a club renowned for developing players who can perform on big stages and against stern competition.
Vyacheslav Koloskov, who once served as the Honorary President of the Russian Football Union, shared his reflections on Pinyaev’s rapid progress and the bright outlook for his career. Koloskov’s insights provided a veteran perspective on the youngster’s capabilities and the expectations surrounding his continued development within both club and national team environments. The consensus among observers is that Pinyaev’s trajectory could have meaningful implications for Russia’s attacking options in the coming years, especially as the player gains experience and maturity through more appearances and increased responsibilities on the pitch.