Spartak Luis Robson, a former Brazilian footballer who made his name in the capital, recalled in a DEA News interview an unusual episode from his Moscow years: he was the one who handled seed purchases for the Spartak squad. In those days, a routine trip to the market felt almost like a small mission, and the story he shared paints a vivid portrait of life behind the scenes of a top club.
Robson explained that he took on the responsibility of seed procurement for the team. He lived in the Sokolniki district and, every week, would collect bags destined for the players from the warm, familiar faces of local grandmothers. The team’s green rituals began with simple orders, but as the weeks rolled by, the quantity of seeds grew and so did the trust placed in him. The local market vendors came to recognize him, and what started as a modest gesture soon became a regular habit. The humor in his memory is clear when he notes that discounts were not on the table, yet the value of the relationships far outweighed any savings.
The period of his footballing with Spartak spanned from 1997 to 2001, a chapter that left a mark on Moscow’s football history. Robson traveled to the city to attend a commemorative match scheduled for September 9, a game held in memory of a legendary Spartak figure, Ilya Tsymbalar.
The match lineup included a Spartak legends team and a world team, with the red-whites’ coaching duties entrusted to Oleg Romantsev and Stanislav Cherchesov. The world squad was guided by the Italian coach Massimo Carrera. The kickoff was set for 19.00 Moscow time, promising an evening of nostalgia, skill, and tribute, weaving together past glories and present echoes on the field.
In a moment that reflected the competition’s broader atmosphere, a Ukrainian journalist pressed Robson about his decision to participate in the Tsymbalar memorial match. The exchange underscored the enduring crossroads of sport, memory, and public interest, highlighting how former players remain connected to the clubs that shaped their careers and to fans who still cherish their contributions to the game.