Yuri Zhirkov spoke regarding leaving Zenit.
At what point did you realize that you would not renew the agreement with “Zenith”?
– At Euro 2020, my contract ended, I got injured, and that was all the talk. I talked with Semak when I was already injured, but there was no such thing as “come on, we are waiting for you.”
I myself understood that it’s hard for a football player at that age to fight for time on the field in a team like Zenit. They take the best Brazilians and someone else. Signing a contract and sitting on the bench for six months or a year is not my thing.
– What did they talk regarding with Semak then, if not regarding returning to Zenit?
“He was just interested in my health. He asked how serious the injury was. The Zenith doctor said that I would no longer be able to play. It probably ended there.
– You still have a match in St. Petersburg ahead of you. Say hello to this doctor?
– I have a good relationship with him. I’ll come and say hello, – said the defender, who is now playing for “Khimki”.
