Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov

Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov (born 20 August 1983 in Tambov) is a Russian football defender/midfielder who currently plays for Chelsea and the Russian national team. He plays either a left winger or a left back. He is renowned for his pace, technique and excellent crosses. He is nicknamed by some Russian observers as the "Russian Ronaldinho".

Early years

Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov was born in Tambov, on 20 August 1983. His father, Valentin Ivanovich Zhirkov worked at the "Revtrud" factory and his mother was a postwoman. Yuri was the second child in the family. The family lived in poverty, struggling to buy basic goods such as food and clothes. To keep Yuri busy, his parents often sent him to play football in the yard. In 1994, Zhirkov was enrolled in the "Revtrud" sports school. Valeri Vasilyevich Sharapov became his first coach. At the same year, he took part in a footbal tournament in Kamyshin and was named "the best halfback of the tournament" there.

Career

Zhirkov started his career at FC Spartak Tambov before leaving to CSKA Moscow where he scored 26 goals in 74 games playing as a winger.

CSKA Moscow

Yuri joined CSKA Moscow in January 2004. Zhirkov won the 2004-05 UEFA Cup with CSKA Moscow scoring in the final itself. His goal against Hamburger SV in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 was chosen as best goal of the competition by UEFA Magazine "Goal". He made six appearances in the group stages, scoring once.

Yuri made his debut in the Commonwealth of Independent States Cup against FC Gomel and was replaced in the 70th minute. The final score was 2-2. In his second game, against FC Pakhtakor Tashkent, he played all 90 minutes, with the final score being 2-1. In the last qualifying match against Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda which also ended 2-1, Yuri played all 90 minutes. After the Cup, Yuri Adzhem claimed that Yuri had a good chance to receive a permanent place in the squad.

His first participation in an official game happened on 7 March 2004 in the Russian Super Cup against "Spartak Moscow". CSKA's 3-1 victory gave Yuri his first trophy. Artur Jorge promised for a "great future" of Yuri after that game.

Yuri made his debut in the Champions League on 27 July against Neftchi Baku PFC. He also appeared in the third qualifying round against Rangers F.C.

Although Yuri missed the first game against S.L. Benfica, he participated in the return game. He also took part in both games vs. FK Partizan and made a save in the second game. After beating AJ Auxerre and Parma F.C. CSKA made its way to the final. On 18 May 2005 in Lisboa at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Yuri scored a goal in the 65th minute and CSKA took the lead 2-1. The final score in that game was 3:1, making CSKA the first football club from Russia to win the UEFA Cup.

Yuri participated in all 6 games of the group stage in the 2006 Champions League. On 6 December 2006 he scored a brilliant goal against Hamburger SV, which was highly honoured and was awarded best goal of the competition by UEFA's official magazine.

The 2007 season was pretty dissatisfying for Zhirkov and CSKA. CSKA lost almost every game in Europe. It probably happened because of the strong competition they had in the UEFA Champions League group stage, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahçe S.K. and F.C. Internazionale Milano.

For Zhirkov, this European season began on 18 September 2008 against Croatian club NK Slaven Belupo. At first, the Croatian club took the lead but then, CSKA won 2-1. In the next game, army-men beat Deportivo, 3-0. In that game Zhirkov was at one time one-on-one with the goalkeeper but could not realize the opportunity. In all games Yuri was notable, he assisted in several goals against AS Nancy, Feyenoord and scored in the game with Lech Poznań. It became his third goal in European competition.

In 2009 Yuri Zhirkov participated in 3 games in Europe, two against Aston Villa and one against FC Shakhtar Donetsk. In the first game Zhirkov made a dangerous kick and scored in the second one. In the third, he was cautioned by the referee and, therefore, missed the next game.

Chelsea

On 6 July 2009, Zhirkov joined Chelsea on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £18m, exceeding the £15 million that Arsenal paid for Andrei Arshavin in January 2009, thus making Zhirkov the most expensive Russian football player of all time. He scored on his debut, in a friendly against AC Milan, that ended as the winning goal. After a knee injury in pre-season, Zhirkov missed out on the chance to get a winners medal within a month of joining the Blues when they defeated Manchester United on penalties in the 2009 Community Shield. After regaining fitness from a knee injury, he made his competitive debut at left back against Queens Park Rangers in a Carling Cup tie on September 23.

International

Zhirkov has played 28 times for the Russia national football team, and was named to the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament.

In October 2008, Zhirkov was named as one of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award, given to the top player in Europe.

Personal data

Family

Yuri has a sister and two brothers. The younger brother, Nikolai, plays for the CSKA Youth Team. Yuri Zhirkov married on 1 February 2008 to a Russian model, Inna. On 8 September 2008, their son Dmitriy was born.

Accidents

Yuri has had two automotive accidents in his life. The first accident occurred in January 2005 in Tambov. A footballer, driving on a high speed track, hit a pole while trying to avoid a merging racer. Yuri's airbags deployed, leaving him with only minor injuries. On 18 December 2008 Yuri was in an accident in Kaliningrad. He left this accident unharmed.

Honours

CSKA Moscow

• UEFA Cup: 2005
• Russian Premier League: 2005, 2006
• Russian Cup: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
• Russian Super Cup: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009