Russian · Vidnoye, Moscow Oblast, Russia · Born 8 April 1986Igor Akinfeev is a Russian goalkeeper and one-club man who has spent his entire career at CSKA Moscow, holding the record for most clean sheets in Russian football history and famously saving two penalties at the 2018 World Cup.
Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties in the shootout against Spain at the 2018 World Cup to send Russia into a historic quarterfinal, capping a one-club career at CSKA Moscow that produced six Russian league titles, the 2005 UEFA Cup, and a clean-sheet record that surpassed Lev Yashin's Soviet-era benchmark. He made his professional debut for CSKA at 16, saving a penalty and keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win, and became the club's regular starter by 17 in 2003, the same year CSKA won its first Russian Premier League title of his career. Akinfeev became a one-club man over an exceptionally long career at CSKA Moscow, making more than 800 appearances across all competitions and winning six Russian Premier League titles, eight Russian Cups, and the 2005 UEFA Cup — the first major European trophy won by a Russian club — a tournament he played every match of at just 19. He holds the Russian top-flight record for both most appearances and most clean sheets, having surpassed Lev Yashin's Soviet-era record in 2017. Akinfeev earned 111 caps for Russia between 2004 and 2018, playing at four European Championships and two World Cups, and became national team captain in 2017. His signature international moment came at the 2018 World Cup on home soil, where he saved two penalties in the shootout against Spain in the round of 16, sending Russia through to a historic quarterfinal appearance. He retired from international football after that tournament, continuing to play for CSKA Moscow into his forties.
Holding the record for most clean sheets in Russian football history and saving two penalties at the 2018 World Cup
How They Played
Reliable, consistent shot-stopper renowned for penalty-saving ability and long-term positional excellence
Lasting Impact
One of the most decorated and longest-serving one-club goalkeepers in modern football, a defining figure for both CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team
Career Honours
- 6x Russian Premier League champion (CSKA Moscow)
- UEFA Cup winner (2005, CSKA Moscow)
- 8x Russian Cup winner (CSKA Moscow)
- Russia's most capped goalkeeper (111 caps)
- Most clean sheets in Russian football history
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| CSKA Moscow | 2003–present | — |
Russian Athletes