Ambition Above All Else as Dzyuba Rejects Second-Tier Rejection
“He wants to fight for top places.”
That is the strict baseline set for Artem Dzyuba, the 38-year-old Russian football star currently operating as a free agent following his departure from Akron. According to his representative, Leonid Goldman, the veteran forward refuses to consider moves to regional or lower-tier clubs like Makhachkala or Fakel because such destinations fail to meet his competitive standards.
Dismissing Salary Speculation and Financial Stumbling Blocks
Goldman addressed the forward’s playing future during a recent media briefing, clarifying that the free agent maintains rigorous criteria regarding any potential destination. Addressing public speculation over financial demands, Goldman asserted that money would not be a stumbling block in negotiations with any club.
Furthermore, the representative noted that reports suggesting Dzyuba needed to lower his salary expectations to secure a deal were entirely unfounded.
Rejecting Ural and Addressing Spartak Moscow Rumors
Talks surrounding a potential move to Ural also faced outright rejection. Goldman confirmed that neither Dzyuba nor his camp entertained the prospect of playing in Russia’s second tier, noting that calls from Ural did occur but stating plainly that Artyom would not play in the First League and had no self-goal to continue his football career anywhere at any cost.
At the same time, addressing circulating rumors of a return to Spartak Moscow, Goldman declined to comment on specific talks with club officials while reiterating that no agreement was reached. Goldman also dismissed suggestions that the player pursued a return with an unconditional mandate to play regardless of sporting conditions.
Looking Ahead to Media and Show Business Ventures
With Dzyuba currently sitting without a club, discussions regarding his long-term career path have naturally shifted toward potential off-field ventures. Goldman suggested that the veteran striker is likely to explore opportunities in show business and media projects following his official retirement from professional football.
Retirement Status and Career Clarifications
Goldman also clarified the current ambiguity surrounding Dzyuba’s playing status, noting that there has been no official announcement of retirement yet, though he defined an official end to a career as a point when a player definitely will not play a single official match in the RPL and the Cup. Goldman added that proposals from show business and various media projects had been present throughout the player’s career, and with more time now available, Dzyuba would likely try himself in those areas a bit more, while declining to make rigid predictions about where the record scorer in Russian football history might be in five years.
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