Forward Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St. Petersburg recently commented that Russian footballers are not eager to move to Europe in the current climate. He suggested that while an enticing offer from a strong team might tempt a transfer, there is little motivation to leave when the immediate benefits of staying, playing at home, and contributing to Russian football remain compelling.
In 2022, football governance underwent a major upheaval. The International Federation of Football Associations and the Union of European Football Associations decided to suspend Russia’s national team and its clubs from all competitions under their control. Since then, Russian teams and the national squad have been limited to matches that are not part of official European competitions, effectively narrowing the playing field to friendlies and non-EU tournaments.
As a consequence, Russian clubs besides Zenit did not participate in European cup competitions during the 2022 season. The national team, under head coach Valery Karpin, has since scheduled a series of friendlies, totaling five matches in 2023. These matches provided a testing ground for national team players and coaching staff as they navigated a period of altered international competition and reshaped expectations for domestic football development.
In the past, there had been further considerations regarding Russia’s readiness to compete against European and Asian opponents in Moscow, reflecting the broader discussions about Russia’s place in international football and the evolving competitive landscape within the sport.