Russian coach Denis Boyarintsev has praised Zenit Saint Petersburg goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov, stating that the 39-year-old can be proud of his football career.
Zenit secured a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Sochi in the 29th round of the Russian Premier League on Sunday. Kerzhakov, who remained on the bench, walked to the center of the pitch after the match, where he was greeted by teammates and fans. The club had previously announced that the goalkeeper would retire at the end of the current season.
“It’s nice that he ended his career at his home club. He had a great career and won many trophies. He went through fire and water, playing for different teams. It was a fantastic career,” Boyarintsev said on the program ‘After Football with Georgy Cherdantsev’ on Match TV.
Kerzhakov is Zenit’s record holder for trophies. With the club, he won the Russian Premier League seven times, the Russian Cup three times, and the Russian Super Cup seven times. He made 138 appearances for the team, conceding 105 goals. This season, the goalkeeper did not play a single match.