Eduard Spertsyan: “I dream of playing in a top league”

The captain of FC Krasnodar and the Armenian national team, Eduard Spertsyan, spoke in an interview with the press service of the Football Federation of Armenia. He recalled his debut, talked about his journey to the captain’s armband, the challenges of the Russian Premier League, and his biggest dream — to play in a top European league.

On his first match for the national team:

— I remember my first match against Romania very well. We won that game, and I think it will stay in my memory forever. It was tough, of course. I was still young and lacked experience at a high level. I was given a chance to come on right at the start of the second half. I even shed a tear when I scored because it was a dream come true.

On being captain and the win over Wales:

— It’s a huge honor to lead the team onto the field with the captain’s armband. We beat Wales 4–2 away. There’s a sense of responsibility, but I was mentally ready for it. Vato Haroyan was with the team then, helping and guiding us. That away win was also an unforgettable moment — a great game.

On helping players from Russia:

— Of course, I help the players who have been called up from Russia. I spoke to them even before they were called up and told them how great it is to play here. I said, “Come, you won’t regret it at all.” Khoren Bayramyan and Haroyan helped too. Now they’re all settled in and come with great enthusiasm — I’m talking about Edgar Sevikyan, Nair Tiknizyan, Georgy Arutyunyan, and others.

On tough logistics and winning the league with Krasnodar:

— Right now, it’s very hard to play in the Russian league, especially for us at Krasnodar. Over the past three years, the logistics have been brutal — we’re barely ever home, always on the road. Few people understand how hard that is. But we managed to endure it and became champions.

Becoming a champion with Krasnodar is a huge joy. I’ve been at the academy since I was a kid — you could say the club grew with me, and I grew with the club. I’ve witnessed the whole story of the club from the inside. Sergey Nikolayevich Galitsky deserved this championship, and we did it for him.

What did Galitsky say to you after the title win?

That will stay between us. It’s a secret.

On his future:

— Looking back, we definitely made the right decision last year for me to stay one more season. I said it a year ago and I’ll say it again — you have to win something and then leave. We’ll see what happens this summer.

The dream is there — to play in Europe, in top-level Champions League and Europa League matches. Playing in a top league — that’s my biggest dream, something I work toward every day. As for “following in Mkhitaryan’s footsteps” — I believe everyone has their own path. Henrikh had his, Matvei has his, and I will have mine.

On Yura Movsisyan, Safonov, and Mkhitaryan:

— Thinking about Yura Movsisyan, I have great respect for him. He’s a true legend. He played in Russia, including for Krasnodar, and had many appearances for the national team. He congratulated me, made a post, congratulated the club and me personally. I’m very grateful to him for that.

— Of course, I keep in touch with Matvei Safonov. I congratulated him on winning the Champions League, and he congratulated me. Matvei is still the same as he’s always been — we’re friends and we talk often.

— I’m also always in touch with Henrikh Mkhitaryan. We try to talk and find time for it. I don’t bother him too often because I understand how important his matches are and how tough the season is. But of course, he wrote to congratulate me on the title. I wished him luck in the Champions League — after that, we haven’t spoken.

On the Champions League final:

— To be honest, I was supporting Barcelona in the Champions League overall, but in the final I wanted Mkhitaryan to win. Safonov knew that. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for Henrikh.

Eduard Spertsyan has already arrived in Pristina with the Armenian national team, where they will play a friendly match against Kosovo tomorrow.