Former Dynamo Moscow striker Oleg Terekhin weighed in on Fedor Smolov’s decision to step away from the Russian national team, suggesting that the landscape of national selection could shift significantly in his absence. He emphasized that discussions about the team’s immediate prospects might lose their momentum while the door opens for a new generation to seize its chances. Terekhin noted Smolov’s current age, thirty-three, and cautioned that allowing a three-year pause would push the veteran toward thirty-six, a stage where continuing at the international level becomes increasingly burdensome. He pointed out that the football world has seen players leave, fade, and unexpectedly return, but warned that the timing of senior national team qualifications for European tournaments would inevitably shape any potential comeback or renewed integration of experienced players, a nuance he framed as critical for policy and selection decisions today. According to his remarks, the door to international play could swing depending on how European qualifiers unfold and whether opportunities arise that would accommodate veteran forwards alongside a younger cohort, a reality that makes Smolov’s choice more understandable within the broader arc of a long and fluctuating career. The message, as interpreted by observers, is one of pragmatic transition—acknowledging the accomplishments already etched in Smolov’s national ledger while recognizing the practical limits of ongoing international service and the evolving needs of the squad, especially when national team schedules begin to align with new qualification calendars and generation shifts mentioned by various pundits.
Smolov’s national team tally stands at 46 appearances with 15 goals, a record that underscores his role as a frequent contributor during his tenure in the senior setup. In the domestic league, his performance for Dynamo Moscow included ten goals across a season and a further six assists in 24 league appearances, statistics that reflect his ability to influence matches at club level even as his international career reaches a turning point. The notable balance between goal-scoring and playmaking during Smolov’s prime years demonstrated his value in front of goal, his movement off the ball, and his willingness to take on responsibility in high-pressure situations. These attributes helped cement his standing as a trusted option for national team coaches during various campaigns, while also generating debate among fans and analysts about the optimal path forward for the squad as it recalibrates after his departure from the roster. In light of Smolov’s decision, Dmitry Bulykin, who previously wore the national jersey and today serves as a deputy in the State Duma, shared his own perspective on the matter, highlighting the tension between honoring a veteran’s contributions and ensuring a healthy pipeline of new talent for the national team. Bulykin’s comments reflected a broader conversation within Russian football about balancing loyalty to established players with the necessity of cultivating the next generation, a theme that resonates across national programs as they navigate the evolving landscape of European competition and the shifting demands of modern football.