Igor Akinfeev facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this article, the patronymic is Vladimirovich and the family name is Akinfeev.

Quick facts for kids
Igor Akinfeev

Akinfeev with CSKA Moscow in 2020

Personal information

Full name

Igor Vladimirovich Akinfeev

Date of birth

8 April 1986 (age 39)

Place of birth

Vidnoye, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union

Height

1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

Position(s)

Goalkeeper

Team information

Current team

CSKA Moscow

Number

Youth career

1991–2002

CSKA Moscow

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2003–

CSKA Moscow

596

(0)

International career

2002–2005

Russia U21

(0)

2004–2018

Russia

111

(0)

Medal record


Men's football
Representing Russia
UEFA European Championship
Bronze	2008 Austria–Switzerland

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 May 2025

Igor Vladimirovich Akinfeev (Russian: Игорь Владимирович Акинфеев, tr. Igor' Vladimirovich Akinfeyev; born on 8 April 1986) is a Russian professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper and is the captain for the Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow.

Igor Akinfeev has played his entire career with CSKA Moscow. He has appeared in over 700 official matches for the club. He has helped CSKA win six Russian Premier League titles and eight Russian Cups. He also won the UEFA Cup in 2005. Akinfeev holds the record for the most games played in the Russian top league, with 596 appearances as of May 24, 2025. He played for the Russian national team from 2004 to 2018, earning 111 caps. He was part of Russia's squads for four UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. Akinfeev became Russia's captain in March 2017. He is known for keeping more clean sheets (games without letting in a goal) than any other goalkeeper in Russian football history.

Early Life and Training
Club Career Highlights
- Champions League Records
- Continued Success and Milestones
International Career for Russia
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Training

Igor Akinfeev was born on April 8, 1986, in Vidnoye, Moscow Oblast. When he was just four years old, his father enrolled him in the CSKA sports school. He quickly became a goalkeeper, even from his second training session. As a young player, he helped the junior CSKA Moscow team win the Russian Junior Championship in 2002.

Club Career Highlights

Akinfeev playing for CSKA Moscow in October 2015

Igor Akinfeev made his first professional appearance for CSKA Moscow when he was only 16. In that game, he saved a penalty kick and kept a clean sheet, helping his team win 2–0. By age 17 in 2003, he became a regular starter. That same year, CSKA won their first Russian Premier League title.

In 2005, CSKA had an amazing year, winning three major trophies: the Russian Premier League, the Russian Cup, and the UEFA Cup. Akinfeev played in all 19 of CSKA's European matches that season. This included the 2005 UEFA Cup Final, where CSKA defeated Sporting CP 3–1. In 2006, he won another Russian league title and Russian Cup. He also received the Zvezda trophy, given to the best football player from the former Soviet Union.

Champions League Records

Akinfeev in April 2018

In the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, Akinfeev had a great run of 362 minutes without letting in a goal. However, he later started a record-breaking streak of 43 consecutive matches in the Champions League (including qualifying rounds) where he did not keep a clean sheet. This long streak finally ended 11 years later, on July 25, 2017. CSKA Moscow beat AEK Athens 2–0 in a qualifying match for the Champions League. Before this match, his last clean sheet in the Champions League was against Arsenal in November 2006.

Continued Success and Milestones

In May 2007, Akinfeev had a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. He returned strong for the 2008 season, playing in all 30 league matches and winning the Russian Cup. In 2009, he again played every league match and kept a clean sheet in the Russian Cup Final, which CSKA won 1–0.

In May 2011, Akinfeev captained CSKA to their fifth Russian Cup win of his career. In 2012–13, CSKA won their first Russian Premier League title in seven years. Akinfeev was named Russian Footballer of the Year. He also saved a penalty kick in the 2013 Russian Cup Final shootout, helping CSKA win the trophy.

On February 1, 2014, Akinfeev extended his contract with CSKA until 2019. In 2013–14, he won his fifth Russian Premier League title. On May 14, 2014, he passed Lev Yashin to become the goalkeeper with the third-highest number of clean sheets in Russian football. On November 14, 2015, he broke the overall clean sheet record with his 233rd shutout.

In August 2018, Akinfeev extended his CSKA contract until 2022. In December 2018, he achieved his 300th clean sheet, becoming the first Russian goalkeeper to reach this milestone. On August 14, 2021, he played his 489th game in the Russian top league, matching a record. In his very next game on August 21, 2021, he set a new record with 490 appearances. He extended his contract with CSKA again on May 20, 2022, until the end of the 2023–24 season.

On June 11, 2023, Akinfeev saved two penalty kicks in the 2023 Russian Cup Final shootout, winning the trophy for CSKA. On May 24, 2024, he extended his contract with CSKA until the end of the 2025–26 season. On June 1, 2025, Akinfeev saved another penalty in the 2025 Russian Cup final shootout, winning the Russian Cup for the eighth time.

International Career for Russia

Akinfeev made his first appearance for the Russian national team on April 28, 2004, in a friendly match against Norway. He was only 18 years and 20 days old, making him one of the youngest players ever to play for Russia. He was included in Russia's UEFA Euro 2004 squad as the third-choice goalkeeper.

He made his first major competitive debut on March 30, 2005, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Estonia. He soon became Russia's main goalkeeper. Akinfeev played every match for Russia at UEFA Euro 2008, helping the team reach the semi-finals.

Akinfeev (far right) before the 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Spain

Akinfeev was part of Russia's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. In a group match against South Korea, he fumbled a shot, leading to a goal. In another group match against Algeria, a green laser was shone in his face during a free kick, which led to Algeria scoring and Russia being eliminated from the tournament.

He played in his third UEFA European Championship for Russia at UEFA Euro 2016. Akinfeev was selected as captain for Russia's 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign. On June 21, 2017, he earned his 100th cap for the national team in a match against Portugal.

Akinfeev was a key player in Russia's journey at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was especially important in the Round of 16 match against Spain. He saved two penalties in the shoot-out, helping Russia win and advance. On October 1, 2018, he announced his retirement from the national team.

Honours and Awards

Igor Akinfeev has won many awards and trophies throughout his career:

With CSKA Moscow

Russian Premier League: 2003, 2005, 2006, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16
Russian Cup: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2022–23, 2024–25
Russian Super Cup: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2025
UEFA Cup: 2004–05

With Russia National Team