In a candid chat on the program “This is football bro,” former midfielder Vladislav Radimov, known for his time with Saint Petersburg’s Zenit and the Russian national team, touched on an interesting claim: hockey players are remarkably resistant to alcohol. The discussion shed light on Radimov’s perspective, rooted in years of professional sport and a career that spanned domestic and international clubs. He was asked if it’s hard to leave behind hockey players, and his answer was tellingly straightforward: yes, it’s nearly impossible. The blunt reply underscored the tough camaraderie and shared experiences that define many athletes across disciplines.
Radimov, a product of the Saint Petersburg Smena Academy, began his professional journey with CSKA Moscow, where he spent four seasons from 1992 to 1996. After his early years in the Russian capital, he moved to Spain to play for Zaragoza, broadening his European experience before eventually winding down his playing days with Zenit in 2008. This arc—from Smena to CSKA, then to European leagues, and finally back to Zenit—illustrates a career characterized by adaptability and steady growth across leagues and cultures.
Zenit’s standing in the Russian Premier League (RPL) has been a focal point in discussions about Radimov’s era and the teams he played alongside. The club secured a solid placement, sitting in second with a competitive points tally as the season progressed. In a recent matchday, Sergei Semak’s squad edged out Paris Nizhny Novgorod with a narrow 1:0 victory, a result that reflected the consistent, defense-led approach the team has cultivated under new leadership. Meanwhile, Krasnodar began the winter break perched at the top of the table with a narrow lead in points, underscoring the tight race at the summit of the league. In that same cycle, Vladimir Ivich’s squad recorded a 1:0 win over CSKA in a clash that highlighted the intensity and quality that Russian football has grown to exhibit. The top three was rounded out by Dinamo, with a tally that kept them in the chase for silverware as the season pressed on.
Beyond the numbers and the standings, Radimov’s reflections invite a broader look at the life of professional footballers in Russia and their careers. There were persistent reports and rumors about moves to different clubs—mentions of Spartak and other potential destinations that illustrate the ever-shifting landscape of the sport, where transfers and strategic decisions constantly shape a player’s trajectory. The broader conversation touches on how athletes manage transitions, maintain form, and balance the inevitable pressures that come with high-level competition. In Radimov’s view, the resilience developed in one sport can carry over into another, but the personal toll of change remains a constant factor for athletes who carry the weight of expectations from fans, teams, and mentors alike.
As the league continues to evolve, Radimov’s contributions—both on the field and in discussions about the lifestyle and ethos of players—remain a touchstone for understanding the temperament and camaraderie that define elite teams. The interplay between individual careers and team-wide results persists as a dynamic narrative in Russian football, one that continues to attract interest from supporters across the country and beyond. The dialogue around alcohol, discipline, and the social dimensions of athletic life remains a relevant topic for players, coaches, and fans who seek to understand how champions sustain performance, longevity, and leadership over time. This ongoing conversation is often enriched by the experiences of veterans like Radimov, whose journeys through Russian and European football provide a lens through which current generations can examine their own paths amid the pressures and opportunities of modern sport. [Source: interview on This is football bro]