Tarasov Claims First Media League Title, Cementing A Multifaceted Football Legacy
Former professional midfielder Dmitry Tarasov, well known for his stints with Moscow Lokomotiv and the Russian national team, has secured the Media League crown for the first time in his career. Repping Rodina Media, the 36-year-old defeated 2DROTS with a convincing 3-1 scoreline in a dramatic final, signaling a milestone moment for players who bridge traditional football and the growing media football ecosystem.
Tarasov’s victory marks him as a pioneer who has claimed major honours across different formats within the sport. He joins an exclusive circle of players who have won the Cup of Russia (while playing for Lokomotiv) and a contemporary media league title in the same competitive arc. Rodina Media and 2DROTS are set to clash again in the upcoming Russian Cup for the 2023/24 season, with a third invited media team expected to participate by decision of the Russian Football Union, highlighting the ongoing expansion of media football in the country.
Tarasov’s club career at Lokomotiv spanned from 2010 to 2019, during which he featured in 188 matches, contributing 12 goals and 10 assists. His résumé includes further highlights in Moscow and Kazan, alongside notable appearances for Rubin and the capital’s Veles project, underscoring a versatile playing profile that transitioned smoothly into media engagement after his on-field years.
On the international stage, Tarasov wore the colors of the Russian national team in eight caps, adding one goal and one assist to his tally with the senior squad. His transition into media football reflects a broader trend among former pros who bring recognizable experience and visibility to emerging formats that blend sport and media storytelling. The evolving landscape continues to attract interest from fans and sponsors alike, offering new avenues for performance, branding, and audience engagement. This development also sparks reflections from former coaches and peers about the shifting dynamics within modern football and its off-field extensions, including media-centric communities and tournaments that increasingly resemble traditional competitive arenas. (Source: various football-focused outlets and league organizers)