MOSCOW, Oct 29, Alena Sulizova. Footballer of Dynamo Moscow » Fedor Smolov told reporters that he dreams of returning to the Russian national team.
The forward last played for the national team in November 2021 in a qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup against the Croatian national team.
““Yes, the dream of returning to the national team remains, but from the point of view of reality, I don’t know how possible this is,” said Smolov.
Russian Premier League (RPL)29 October 2023 • starts at 16:30Finished
Dynamo MoscowRussia2 : 1
UralRussia
42' • Konstantin Tyukavin (Dmitry Skopintsev)
61' • Bitello (Fedor Smolov)
90 ' • Ilya Ishkov (Denis Kulakov)
“»My opinion has not changed, I don’t think it’s worth moving to Asia. This is not the easiest process, because where are the guarantees that once you get to the World Championships, the same teams will not refuse to play with us? And where are the guarantees that the AFC member countries will vote to let us in? The situation is difficult, so I want this to be resolved as soon as possible. I see a lot of positive things, the latest decisions show that FIFA and UEFA want to return us to the international arena. But, unfortunately, other countries are against it, and everything slides into politics. It’s always been like this. They won’t let us in until the end of the SVO? Probably, there is some kind of consistency on their part,” noted striker.
Smolov also spoke about his future after retirement.
“»I will still remain Fedor Smolov. I have a rough understanding of what I am going to do, but I don’t think or look at how to do it yet, because I don’t know how the situation will turn out. I have already said that I want to go to study to a sports manager. General, sports director — something like that,» said the Dynamo footballer.