Former Russian national team forward Roman Pavlyuchenko offered his thoughts on Lokomotiv’s rising striker Sergey Pinyaev, sharing insights gathered from Match TV. Pavlyuchenko described Pinyaev as an exceptionally talented player who has already begun to mark his presence on the national scene. He suggested that if Pinyaev maintains his trajectory and remains healthy, he could emerge as a star on a level comparable to Andrey Arshavin within two to three years. The veteran also noted that, with successful transfers to European clubs, Pinyaev could move abroad and continue his development where European leagues would challenge and refine him.
In a recent fixture for the Russian national team, played in St. Petersburg on March 26 against Iraq, Pinyaev added another milestone to his rapidly growing resume by scoring a goal. The strike made him the youngest scorer in the history of the national team at 18 years, 4 months, and 24 days, surpassing the previous record held by Dmitry Sychev. The moment underscored Pinyaev’s potential and his ability to impact important matches at a very young age. Alongside him, Lokomotiv teammate Anton Miranchuk also found the back of the net in the same game, contributing to a standout performance from the squad.
Pinyaev first wore the national colors in a qualifying match against Tajikistan last November, becoming the youngest ever to debut for Russia at 18 years and 15 days. The early breakout has drawn attention from fans and analysts alike, who are eager to see how his career unfolds as he gains more experience against senior national teams and in top international competitions. The youngster has drawn comparisons to past prodigies, and many see in him a player capable of delivering moments that can shape results for the national team for years to come.
Former Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov offered thoughts on Pinyaev’s style of play, highlighting qualities such as his pace, technical skill on the ball, and instinct for finding space in attacking transitions. The analysis from Bilyaletdinov, combined with Pavlyuchenko’s optimism and Pinyaev’s evident pace and finishing ability, paints a picture of a player who blends youthful energy with the tactical awareness needed to compete at the highest levels. Observers note that Pinyaev’s development path will likely involve balancing playtime with a steady rise through club rankings, enabling him to adapt to more demanding leagues while continuing to contribute to Russia’s national team when called upon.