“I Have to Score Against Latvia”: Artur Gharibyan on His First Armenia Call-Up, a Promise to His Grandmother and His Style of Play

Artur Gharibyan, the 20-year-old striker for Moscow club Rodina, gave his first interview as a member of Armenia’s senior national team to FFA TV. The 194 cm tall forward spoke about his family, his path into professional football and why he had wanted to represent Armenia since childhood. He gave the entire interview in Armenian, although he was born and raised in Moscow.

The Armenia setup is familiar to Gharibyan: he previously played for the U17, U19 and U21 teams. He received his first senior call-up after making his Russian Premier League debut, and has already scored twice in Rodina’s victory over Zenit.

Garibyan has been called up for Armenia’s opening matches of the 2026/27 Nations League season. Armenia will face Latvia and Cyprus and play Montenegro twice. The striker still has to earn a place in the team, but the personnel situation gives him a chance: Grant-Leon Ranos and Finn Geraghousian are injured, fellow call-up Artur Miranyan has had little playing time, and Araik Eloyan, like Gharibyan, has yet to appear for the senior national team.

“This is my homeland, my blood”

“I’m Artur Gharibyan, and I’ll do everything I can to help the Armenia national team,” the footballer began.

He explained how his family maintained its connection with Armenia after moving to Russia:

“Twenty-five years ago, my parents moved from Armenia to Moscow because of my father’s work. I was born and raised in Moscow. From childhood, my parents asked me to speak Armenian at home, which is why I can speak Armenian with you now. Every two years, we came to Armenia to visit my grandmother. I feel very good in Armenia; I like everything here. This is my homeland, my blood.”

The striker also recalled an amusing childhood episode: “When I was little, I was very naughty. My parents kept me on a leash. It’s a secret, but you should know.”

From a football school in Odintsovo to two goals against Zenit

Gharibyan said he first took up swimming and came to football later, following his older brother.

“I started swimming at four, then switched to football. I have an older brother who loved football. I decided to go with him, but I started quite late: I first went to football training when I was nine.”

He spent his early years at a sports school in Odintsovo:

“At nine, I joined a sports school in Odintsovo, near Moscow. That’s where I grew as a footballer, and I played there until I was 14. Then Rodina invited me. There were many difficulties: for four years in a row, I spent an hour and a half travelling every day, until I got a car and moved to Moscow.”

“At Rodina, I went through all the youth teams and worked with all the coaches. I’m the only footballer at the club who has gone through the entire system: the youth, reserve, third, second and professional teams. I’m grateful to my family, who have always helped me.”

Gharibyan admitted that he nearly quit football as a teenager:

“When I was 15, we lost 6–2, and I played badly. After that, I thought I wouldn’t play anymore. But my mother brought me back to my senses, calmed me down and told me to keep going — that everything would work out. I felt I had no talent, only diligence and a willingness to work hard. That has stayed with me to this day. The most important thing for me is to keep working.”

The forward separately recalled the win over Zenit in which he scored twice:

“In Russia, all the fans were happy when I scored twice against Zenit and we won. Nobody likes Zenit — they’re the richest. After that match, our club gained more fans, and I gained more personal supporters too. We pulled off something remarkable that day.”

For now, Gharibyan is focused on his immediate goal: “Right now, I want to put up good numbers in the Russian Premier League and get plenty of playing time. After that, I can think about the next step in my career.”

A promise to his grandmother and a call from the national team

The striker said he chose which national team he wanted to represent when he was still a child:

“My first coaches always asked which national team I wanted to play for — Russia or Armenia. I always answered: Armenia. I first said it when I was ten and promised my grandmother. She’s probably watching all of this from heaven now and feeling happy.”

After receiving his first senior call-up, Gharibyan  thanked head coach Yeghishe Melikyan:

“I want to thank the head coach for choosing me and putting his trust in me. In the last few days, I had stopped expecting a call-up because I’d been playing less for my club in recent matches. But I was called up, I spoke with the coach, and they told me about our plans and goals. So I have to give everything I’ve got and make the fans happy.”

“What does playing for the Armenia national team mean to me? It’s indescribable. I can’t put it into words,” the footballer added.

“I don’t stand still and wait for the ball”

Gharibyan believes his qualities could help Armenia in attack:

“When I watched the national team’s matches, I saw how often the team sent crosses in and delivered the ball into the penalty area. I think the national team needs a player like me.”

“Usually, a traditional striker of my size stays in position and waits for the ball, but I play differently. I’m always looking for the ball, dropping deeper, making myself available and making runs. At the same time, of course, I also wait for crosses into the box.”

Armenia’s first Nations League match will take place against Latvia on September 25. Gharibyan has already named his main target for the game:

“For me, the most important goal is the next one. The one I’ll score on September 25. I have to score against Latvia.”