Yuri Zhirkov

Football player infobox
playername = Yuri Zhirkov


fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1983|8|20
cityofbirth = Tambov
countryofbirth = Russia, USSR
height = height|m=1.78
nickname =
position = Left winger
currentclub = CSKA Moscow
clubnumber = 18
youthyears =
youthclubs = FC Spartak Tambov
years = 2001-2003 2004-present
clubs = FC Spartak Tambov PFC CSKA Moscow
caps(goals) = 110 (11)
nationalyears = 2005-
nationalteam = Russia
nationalcaps(goals) = 026 0(0)
pcupdate = June 22, 2008
ntupdate = September 10, 2008

Yuriy Valentinovich Zhirkov (born 20 August 1983 in Tambov, USSR) is a Russian football midfielder. He currently plays for CSKA Moscow and Russia national team. He has earned the nickname 'the Russian Ronaldinho' for his dribbling skills and audacity.

He won the 2004-05 UEFA Cup with PFC CSKA Moscow. He mainly plays as an attacking left winger although he can play as a left back or left wingback. His trickery and abundance of creativity makes him one of CSKA Moscow's and Russia's most prized assets. He is also a very hard working player who often tracks back and is a solid marker and sliding tackler.

His goal against Hamburger SV in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 was chosen as best goal of the competition by UEFA Magazine "Goal". His goal involves him chipping the ball past an opponent then again past a second opponent before dribbling from the half way line into the penalty box and shooting past the goal keeper. He made 6 appearances in the group stages, scoring once.

Zhirkov has played 25 times for the Russia national football team, often starting in a 3-5-2 formation in the left winger position, and was called up Russia's squad for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland where he played as an out and out leftback often making runs forward to support and front two. He was name on the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament.

On the 2nd July, 2008 he was linked with a move to Chelsea FC, as Roman Abramovich requested that a Russian play for Chelsea. [Wednesday's gossip column - Zhirkov linked with Chelsea http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/7484674.stm]

References

External links

* [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/players/player=94880/index.html uefa.com] short bios.