Yuri Zhirkov facts for kids
Zhirkov with Khimki in 2022
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 20 August 1983 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tambov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Left-back / left-winger | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2001 | Spartak Tambov | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 2001–2004 | Spartak Tambov | 74 | (26) | |||||||||||||
| 2004–2009 | CSKA Moscow | 139 | (15) | |||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Chelsea | 29 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Anzhi Makhachkala | 46 | (3) | |||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Dynamo Moscow | 54 | (3) | |||||||||||||
| 2016–2021 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 95 | (4) | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | Khimki | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| Total | 440 | (51) | ||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Russia U-21 | 9 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2021 | Russia | 105 | (2) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||
Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov (born on August 20, 1983) is a Russian former footballer. He was known for playing as a left-back (a defender on the left side) or a left-winger (an attacking player on the left side).
Yuri Zhirkov started his football journey at his local club, Spartak Tambov. In 2004, he joined CSKA Moscow, a top team in Russia. There, he won many titles in Russia and even a European trophy. In 2009, he moved to the English club Chelsea. After two seasons, he returned to Russia, playing for Anzhi Makhachkala, Dynamo Moscow, and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Zhirkov played over 100 games for the Russian national team from 2005 to 2021. He was a key player when Russia reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2008. For his great performance, he was named in the Team of the Tournament. He also played for Russia in the Euro 2012, 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2020 tournaments.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Yuri Zhirkov was born in Tambov, Russia, on August 20, 1983. His father worked at a factory, and his mother was a postwoman. Yuri was the second child in his family. Growing up, his family faced challenges in buying basic things like food and clothes. His first football coach was Valery Sharapov, who helped him join the Tambov Regional Children and Youth Sports School.
Club Football Journey
Yuri Zhirkov began his professional football career at Spartak Tambov. He played as a winger and scored 26 goals in 74 matches. His talent soon caught the eye of bigger clubs.
Playing for CSKA Moscow
In January 2004, Zhirkov joined CSKA Moscow. His first official game was on March 7, 2004, in the Russian Super Cup. CSKA won 3–1, giving him his first trophy. He also played in the UEFA Champions League for the first time that year.
Zhirkov helped CSKA Moscow win the UEFA Cup in 2005. In the final match against Sporting CP, he scored a goal that helped CSKA take the lead. They won 3–1, becoming the first Russian club to win this European trophy. He also scored a fantastic goal against Hamburger SV in the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, which was later named the best goal of the competition by UEFA's magazine.
Time at Chelsea
On July 6, 2009, Zhirkov moved to the English club Chelsea. He signed a four-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be £18 million, making him the most expensive Russian football player at that time. He scored in his first friendly match for Chelsea against Milan.
After recovering from a knee injury, he made his first official appearance for Chelsea in September 2009. He played as a left-back in a League Cup game. He made his Premier League debut in December 2009. When Chelsea's main left-back, Ashley Cole, got injured, Zhirkov became the first-choice player in that position.
In March 2010, Zhirkov helped Chelsea win a big game against Aston Villa by earning two penalties. Chelsea won that match 7–1. During his first season, Chelsea won both the Premier League and the FA Cup, which was a very successful season for the club. His only goal for Chelsea was a volley in a UEFA Champions League match against Spartak Moscow on October 19, 2010.
Moving to Anzhi and Dynamo
On August 14, 2011, Zhirkov left Chelsea to join the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. He signed a four-year contract. He scored his first goal for Anzhi in October 2011. In his last game for Anzhi in June 2013, he played in the Russian Cup final, which his team lost in a penalty shootout.
Soon after, on August 15, 2013, Zhirkov moved to Dynamo Moscow. He played 14 league matches in his first season, scoring three goals. One of his goals for Dynamo was a late winner in a UEFA Europa League match against PSV in October 2014.
Joining Zenit Saint Petersburg
On January 26, 2016, Zenit Saint Petersburg announced they had signed Yuri Zhirkov. He joined the club on January 30, 2016. He played for Zenit for several seasons, winning more Russian Premier League titles and Russian Cups.
Later Career and Retirement
In January 2022, Zhirkov signed a contract with Khimki until the end of the 2021–22 season. His contract with Khimki ended in June 2022.
Yuri Zhirkov officially announced his retirement from playing football on February 12, 2023.
International Career for Russia
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Yuri Zhirkov played his first game for the Russian national team on February 9, 2005, in a friendly match against Italy.
He was a star player at UEFA Euro 2008, where Russia reached the semi-finals. His excellent performance led to him being named in the Team of the Tournament. In October 2008, he was even nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, which recognizes the best player in Europe.
Zhirkov played in many major tournaments for Russia, including Euro 2012, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2020. He scored his first international goal for Russia on June 6, 2014, in a friendly match against Morocco. He scored his second international goal on March 29, 2016, against France.
He played his 100th match for Russia on November 18, 2020. In June 2021, he was part of Russia's squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He started their first game but had to leave due to an injury. He did not play in the remaining games as Russia was eliminated.
Personal Life
Family
Yuri Zhirkov has a sister and two brothers. His younger brother, Nikolai, also played football for the CSKA Youth Team. Yuri married Inna, a Russian model, on February 1, 2008. They have three children: a son named Dmitriy (born in 2008), a daughter named Milana (born in 2010), and a second son (born in 2015).
Education
Yuri Zhirkov finished school and then studied to become an electrical technician. He received a diploma in secondary technical education. In December 2008, he graduated from Tambov State University.
Honours and Awards
CSKA Moscow
- Russian Premier League: 2005, 2006
- Russian Cup: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09
- Russian Super Cup: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
- UEFA Cup: 2004–05
Chelsea
- Premier League: 2009–10
- FA Cup: 2009–10
Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Russian Premier League: 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
- Russian Cup: 2015–16, 2019–20
- Russian Super Cup: 2016, 2020
Russia National Team
- UEFA European Championship bronze medal: 2008
Individual Awards
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008
- Futbol Footballer of the Year in Russia: 2008
- Russian Premier League Left Winger of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011–12
- Russian Premier League Left-back of the Year: 2018–19, 2019–20
Images for kids
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Zhirkov with Khimki in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Yuri Zhirkov para niños
