How do you feel about extending your Zenit contract?
Very happy, and some relief as it’s taken a long time and its finally resolved. I am delighted to continue to play for this wonderful club and I am honored to be able to stay here. I hope that we will win more trophies together.
These last two seasons at Zenit have been the most successful for you. What are you expecting for the next two years?
I am looking forward to it and have high hopes for both the team and myself. There is no limit to perfection and we will show people there’s more to come from us! We will try to show everyone that we can get even better
You have been living in St. Petersburg for 5 years now, what does the city mean to you now?
It has become very dear to me and I’ve fallen in love with St. Petersburg. I didn’t like it when I first came here, it seemed gray and too different, but now after living here I can see how beautiful it is. This city is not like anywhere else and it has a special atmosphere that appeals to me, there are lions everywhere and it is very beautiful. Basically, I am in love with St. Petersburg!
Today is the final day of your very short holidays between the seasons. What have you been doing?
Now I am staying outside the city and enjoy the time with my family. We wake up together, fall asleep together, go for a walk, play together. We have very little free time for this during the season, so now we need to take this time, let old injuries heal and recover physically and mentally. Then we will start the new season in great shape.
