2024-04-24 13:00:00
On the eve of the postponed 21st round of the RPL, Zenit shared unexpected news. The club announced the appointment of half-forgotten French midfielder Damien le Tallec as advisor to the chairman of the board of directors of Zenit. The former RPL legionnaire will now establish Zenit’s connections with Europe and the rest of the world.
“The specialist will focus on developing partnerships with football clubs and organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as breeding activities in these regions,” the statement said.
In case you forgot, Le Tallec, 34, played for Mordovia in 2014 and 2015, then traveled around Europe – he stayed at Etoile Rouge, Montpellier and AEK and returned to Russia in 2022, signing a contract with Torpedo, which, by the way, lasted only one year.
But that’s of course not the most interesting thing. The Frenchman is also married to a Russian beauty and has a Russian passport.
However, first of all, here is the most interesting and important thing regarding the new advisor to the chairman of the board of directors of Zenit.
How Le Tallec’s career ended
Tallec returns to Russia and signs a contract with Torpedo in the fall of 2022, while foreign players, on the contrary, try with all their might to flee the country. “I have everything here: family, children, life. Why should I leave?! I always thought regarding coming back. Political situation? I didn’t bother you, I’m out of politics. I want to play football and be with my family,” the Frenchman said in a conversation with Sport24 correspondent Denis Nikolaev.
In October he said he would change the situation at Torpedo and help the club stay in the RPL. However, already in January he left the club unexpectedly, leaving it in last place: Torpedo terminated the contract with Damien by mutual agreement. In 11 matches for the Moscow club, he scored only one assist.
Subsequently, Le Tallec tried his hand at Sochaux in Ligue 2 and even at Vietnamese Hanoi. However, he might not shine anywhere. Thus, at the end of 2023 – beginning of 2024, he ends his career at the age of 33.
Le Tallec is married to a Russian beauty: who is she?
During his first stay in Russia, the Frenchman wasted no time. Not only did he shine in “Mordovia”, but he also managed to meet a local beauty, “Miss Mordovia 2008” Kristina Shindyasova, and eventually married the girl.
Since then, Christina has faithfully accompanied her husband on his football path – she moved with him to Serbia, then to France and Greece. And during Damien’s performance for Red Star in 2017, she gave birth to her son Aaron.
“My husband speaks three languages: Russian, French and English. My son understands all languages, but mostly speaks Russian, following all, he went to kindergarten in Moscow. At the same time, he communicates with dad exclusively in French,” Christina said in an interview with Sport24.
Now the boy is already 7 years old. He plays football and apparently dreams of following in his father’s footsteps.
Why Frenchman Damien Le Tallec obtained Russian citizenship
Tallec became a citizen of the Russian Federation at the end of 2019. On what basis he received the passport was not indicated. But it seems that this became possible thanks to his marriage to a Russian.
Then conversations began that the Frenchman might play for the Russian national team.
However, he never played for the national team, as he played for the French youth teams. And as it became clear later: he needed a passport for a completely different reason.
“The main reason is family. For example, to travel to Russia I need a visa. When it ends, you have to extend it: fill out documents, go to Paris, wait. Since I fly to Moscow whenever possible (during a break for national team matches, weekends and holidays), visa issues take a lot of time and effort. My son has dual nationality: he has a Russian and French passport. And no problem! That’s what I wanted too. Not to mention that following finishing my career, I will live in Moscow. A passport was therefore necessary,” Le Tallec said in an interview with Sport24.
The footballer admitted that his decision was received positively at home. Friends congratulated me on my new passport and the media reported on it quite positively.
***
More interesting things regarding Le Tallec:
- Damien completed a sports management course in 2020. He has spoken regarding his desire to try football in a new role even before his career ends.
- Tallec does not approve of Fan ID: “I did it, but I haven’t used it yet. How do I feel? To be honest, I don’t understand this. There is nothing like this in Europe,” the footballer said in 2022.
- Tallec left Hoverla and left Ukraine in 2014 due to the military conflict in the east of the country.
- Le Tallec’s cousin is Florent Sinama-Pongol. He won the Champions League with Liverpool and played for Rostov.
- The former footballer loves Russian baths.
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