Olga Smorodskaya, who once led Lokomotiv Moscow as president, has voiced support for Konstantin Maradishvili’s choice to represent the Georgian national team, despite his loan spell with Paris NN. Her stance reflects a broader debate in football about national allegiance and player autonomy, especially for athletes who navigate dual eligibility and club commitments at the same time. Smorodskaya emphasized that basketball and football aren’t the same, but the principle remains: a player should answer the national call when the opportunity arises, particularly if it aligns with their personal identity and sporting ambitions. The remark appeared in coverage by Sports Express.
She noted that Maradishvili is making decisions that fit his career trajectory and the expectations of his national team prospects. The underlying question, she suggests, is not about loyalty but about the right to pursue a dream when the door opens for international play. If a national team calls, the door should be open, and players should weigh that chance without fear of judgment from critics who may question why they would switch or commit to a country that offers a platform for growth.
Maradishvili was born in Moscow in 2000 and began his football journey in Russia. He is a product of the CSKA Moscow academy, a club known for developing talent through competitive youth pathways. In September 2021, he signed a contract with Lokomotiv Moscow together with fellow red-blue player Nair Tiknizyan. Alongside this move, Maradishvili altered his sports citizenship, a step often taken by players seeking better opportunities at the international level. Tiknizyan later chose to represent Armenia and was named in the national team squad for the 2024 European Championship cycle.
Throughout the current Russian Premier League season, Maradishvili has appeared in eight league matches for Lokomotiv, contributing one goal. His performances show flashes of the technical ability and decision-making that scouts and coaches value when evaluating potential national-team contributors, especially for teams seeking players who can adapt to different tactical systems.
In another note tied to Lokomotiv’s broader circle, former Lokomotiv player Timur Suleymanov publicly discussed a desire to compete against Dziuba in an octagon setting. That statement illustrates how former teammates and current rivals alike increasingly cross into varied arenas of sport and media chatter, reflecting a wider trend of athletes exploring opportunities beyond traditional football stages.