Vladimir Bystrov, who once wore the shirts of Spartak, Zenit, and the Russian national team, recently opened up about Yuri Zhirkov, addressing a long-standing habit that many insiders found hard to overlook. In an interview he referenced on Bookmaker rating, Bystrov discussed Zhirkov’s routine and its impact on his professional life, drawing attention to a lifestyle choice that stood in contrast to the expectations placed on elite players.
According to Bystrov, Zhirkov smoked constantly and kept pushing himself to train and perform at peak levels despite that habit. He painted a picture of a player who could push beyond fatigue and still maintain a high pace on the field, yet he also suggested that such smoking could disrupt modern training methods used by today’s footballers. The implication was clear: training regimens have evolved, and habits from years past sometimes clash with current standards of preparation and recovery.
Zhirkov himself has been candid about his enjoyment of smoking, a preference he reportedly carried with him into his national team duties on several occasions. This openness has added another layer to the discussion around how professional athletes manage personal choices while carrying the responsibilities of representing their country on the world stage.
On the international scene, Zhirkov has left a significant mark. He was part of the Russian squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2008 European Championship and has accumulated well over a hundred appearances for the national team. These milestones underscore a career built on consistency and longevity at the highest levels of competition.
In club football, Zhirkov’s career included a late stint with Khimki near Moscow, where he made three appearances. Before that, he spent five rewarding years with Zenit, contributing to the team’s domestic success with three Russian championship titles. His journey also includes a notable chapter with CSKA, where the club claimed two Russian Championships, four National Cups, and a UEFA Cup triumph in the 2004/05 season, highlighting his role in a period of sustained success for the club.
Zhirkov’s international club career also featured time in England with Chelsea, where he tasted domestic glory and claimed the FA Cup title as part of the storied squad. These experiences across different leagues helped shape his reputation as a versatile and resilient defender who could adapt to varying styles of football and competitive environments.
There was a more recent, more controversial moment linked to Zhirkov’s public profile when a former associate, Quincy Promes, was photographed in a nightclub in the United Arab Emirates. This incident added another layer to the public narrative surrounding Zhirkov and his circle, illustrating how off-pield events can intersect with a player’s well-documented on-pitch career. In the end, Zhirkov’s legacy rests on a blend of high-level achievement and complex personal narratives that have kept him a topic of ongoing discussion among fans and analysts alike.