The captain of FC Krasnodar and the leader of the Armenian national team, Eduard Spertsyan, candidly spoke about his decision to represent Armenia, the love of the fans, and his views on money.
From an interview with Championat.com
On Choosing Between Russia and Armenia
Spertsyan emphasized that his decision to play for the Armenian national team was a conscious one and had been made back in March 2021. He strongly disagrees with the notion that this choice was an easy one.
"People say I chose Armenia as an easy path. But back then, there were no prospects at all. I had never played for any Russian national team, not even at the youth level. When I was the top scorer of the FNL, everyone was getting called up for Russia's friendly matches—except me. That was the final straw. I have never regretted choosing Armenia over Russia. And I still don’t," said Spertsyan.
On His Relationship with Zakharyan
The footballer mentioned that he had discussed the choice of national teams with Arsen Zakharyan, who ultimately decided to play for Russia.
"We talked about it, but everyone has their own path. Some may criticize me, but this is my life. If Arsen feels better with the Russian national team, that’s his decision too," Spertsyan said.
On His Friendship with Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The midfielder confirmed that he maintains a good relationship with Armenian football legend Henrikh Mkhitaryan and considers him a friend.
"We talk and exchange messages. His main advice is to always listen to your heart. This applies to choosing a national team and moving to Europe. It’s important to make decisions in a way that you won’t regret later," Spertsyan shared.
On the Love of Armenian Fans
Spertsyan shared several examples of the incredible support from Armenian fans, from warm welcomes at the airport to unexpected displays of respect in everyday life.
"After my goal against Romania, we went to a restaurant, and my bill was covered. In a taxi, the driver said, ‘I won’t take money from you, Spertsyan-jan.’ The most incredible moment was on a plane—they cleared entire rows for me. They freed up two rows in front and three behind. I sat in complete comfort, and in Krasnodar, I was the first to leave the plane. I was sitting there thinking, ‘So, is this how it’s going to be from now on?’ (Laughs.)"
On His Attitude Toward Money
The footballer said that he does not place much importance on money and spends it on essential things—his family, housing, and helping his loved ones.
"I just live my life. I recently bought an apartment before my wedding and help my parents. Of course, sometimes I make spontaneous purchases, but why not? It’s better to regret buying something than to regret not buying it. I recently got myself a watch. But the most important thing is that we finally finished building our family home in Armenia. A huge weight off my shoulders!"
Spertsyan admitted that he receives many messages asking for financial help, some of which are quite amusing.
"The latest one I got said, ‘Send me 2,000 for gas, bro.’"
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