There’s always pressure put on the host nation.
Russia will kick-off the 2018 World Cup when they play Saudi Arabia in Moscow.
Expectation is naturally high amongst supporters of the host nation, despite Russia’s poor showings in major tournaments recently.
DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP Click here to sign up for this summer’s brilliant fantasy football gameSomething feels a bit different this time though, Russian fans have genuine reason to be optimistic, as they have one of world’s most exciting young talents in their squad.
Aleksandr Golovin is the name on everyone’s lips.
Getty - Contributor Golovin will be making defenders look silly this summer[/caption]
Ahead of the World Cup, we profile Russia’s poster boy who could inspire the nation to glory on home-soil.
Golovin, who turned 22-years-old in May, was born in south-western Siberia in a town called Kaltan, where he spent his formative years playing futsal.
The young star had no choice but to play futsal, as there was only one regular-sized football pitch in Kaltan, with the harsh weather conditions often leaving it impossible to play on.
Golovin was given the nickname “Chick” because of his small build and baby-face looks, but the CSKA Moscow man shows no signs of weakness on the pitch.
A baby-faced assassinEPA
According to ESPN, Golovin cites Zinedine Zidane and Alexey Smertin as his influences, the latter growing up in Barnaul, a town just 300 kilometres from Kaltan.
Golovin coined the nickname “Chick” because of his small build and baby-face looks, but the CSKA man shows no signs of weakness on the pitch.
According to ESPN, Golovin cites Zinedine Zidane and Alexey Smertin as his influences, the latter growing up in Barnaul, a town 300 kilometres from Golovin’s birthplace Kaltan.
PA:Press Association Smertin’s rags to riches like story is an inspiration to Golovin[/caption]
Golovin joined CSKA when he was 16-years-old, after starting his youth career at a local side in Kaltan, before moving onto FC Novokuznetsk.
The midfielder began to make an impression in the CSKA youth teams
In 2013, he was part of the Russian side that won the Euro Under-17 Championships.
Two years later, Golovin was the focal point as Russia reached the final of the 2015 Euro Under-19s tournament.
Dele Alli played against Golovin in the competition
Later that year, Golovin made his first appearance for Russia’s senior side, the wonderkid scored just 16 minutes after coming off the bench on his debut against Belarus.
Golovin continued his goal-scoring form in his second international game for Fabio Capello’s Russia, scoring against Lithuania.
DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP Click here to sign up for this summer’s brilliant fantasy football gameThe following season in 2015-16 would be when he would establish himself in the CSKA first team.
Short sleeves and gloves in Russia is questionable
Golovin made 23 appearances and scored three goals, as he became a favourite of manager Leonid Slutsky, who insisted that wanting to work with the youngster prolonged his stay at CSKA.
“When Golovin appeared and started progressing very quickly, I put a lot of effort into him,” said Slutsky.
“I really felt for him, and only wanted to leave the club when he is a certain starter. It is like a child who doesn’t need his parents anymore,”
The following season, Golovin made 37 appearances, including six in the Champions League.
EPA The youngster couldn’t help CSKA out of their group which featured Spurs[/caption]
Golovin began to show his versatility, often being deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, before moving further forward in an attacking midfield/wide position.
The CSKA man is not a one-trick pony and also boasts strong defensive capabilities, with the ability to track back and tackle, before initiating counter-attacks.
The 22-year-old isn’t afraid to get stuck in when needed
Golovin suddenly became the centre of attention at CSKA, stealing the headlines from Alan Dzagoev, a player who was once tipped as the next star of Russian football.
Last season, Golovin impressed once again, helping CSKA to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
The creative midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with rumours of Arsenal and Man United tracking him, both clubs he played against in Europe with CSKA.
EPA His CSKA side were knocked out by Arsenal in the Europa League quarter-finals[/caption]
Alongside Dragoev, the eyes of the host nation will be fixed on Golovin, with much expected of the youngster at the World Cup this summer.
Russia find themselves in a challenging group, alongside Uruguay and Egypt, with a clash against Saudi Arabia opening the tournament.
Golovin and Dragoev are the bright sparks in an ageing Russian squad
Golovin isn’t a novice to the demands of senior tournament football.
The in-demand midfielder featured heavily at both the Euros in 2016 and Confederations Cup last year.
EPA Golovin played as England drew to Russia 1-1 at Euro 2016[/caption]
In December 2016, Golovin signed a new deal with CSKA, extending his contract with the club till 2021.
Any potential suitors will have to stump up a large fee to tempt the Russian side into parting with their talent.
If he shines at the World Cup, his price will increase drastically.
Not since Andrey Arshavin has a Russian player sparked so much excitement.
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