MOSCOW, June 7 Dynamo Moscow striker Fedor Smolov stated that he did not believe in the return of the Russian national football team in the near future to official international competitions.
In February 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) issued a joint statement according to which Russian national teams and clubs were suspended from participation in international competitions for an indefinite period due to the events in Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, no. I said goodbye to this idea. I just don’t see any return of the Russian team to the official international level in the foreseeable future, just in view of the events that are taking place,” Smolov said in an interview with journalist Nobel Arustamyan, The video is available on his YouTube channel.
«I talked to (the head coach of the Russian national team Valery) Karpin about this when the friendly matches began. I probably would have refused, but so that it doesn't look like I care about the fate of the national team. I just sincerely don't see the point , because there are young guys who will have to defend the colors of the national team, and I sincerely want to believe that this moment will come as soon as possible, but at that moment I will already be watching the matches of the national team with beer. What is the logic to go to Bishkek, play friendly matches, what will it give me? I'll rest better, everything hurts me, I play injections, «added the 33-year-old player.