Vyacheslav Malafeev is a notable Russian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
He spent his entire professional career at FC Zenit Saint Petersburg from 1999 to 2016.
Malafeev earned 29 caps for the Russia men's national football team between 2003 and 2012.
Biography
Early Life
Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Malafeev was born in Russia and began his football journey at a young age, attending the Smena football school at just nine years old. His dedication to the sport led him to join FC Zenit-2, the farm club of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, in 1997, where he played in the Third Division until 2000.
Career
Malafeev made his professional debut for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in 1999 during a critical moment when the first-choice goalkeeper, Roman Berezovsky, was suspended. By 2001, he had established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. His tenure at Zenit was marked by significant achievements, including winning the UEFA Cup in 2008, where he notably kept a clean sheet in the final against Rangers. On the international stage, Malafeev represented the Russian national team from 2003 to 2012, earning 29 caps and participating in major tournaments like Euro 2004 and Euro 2012.
Personal Life
Malafeev's personal life has seen both joy and tragedy. He was married to Marina, with whom he had two children, Ksenia and Maxim, but faced heartbreak when she tragically died in a car crash in 2011. He later remarried Ekaterina Malafeeva in 2012, and they had a child named Alex before their separation in 2021. In a new chapter of his life, he married Olympic silver medalist and world champion rhythmic gymnast Angelina Shkatova in February 2025. After retiring from international football, Malafeev took on a role as assistant director of sports for Zenit from 2016 to 2020, continuing his legacy in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Vyacheslav Malafeev started attending the Smena football school at the age of nine. In 1997, he began to play for the farm club of FC Zenit, Zenit-2, in the Third Division. He got the chance to play for Zenit in the Premier League in 1999 during the suspension of Roman Berezovsky. Malafeev later became the first choice goalkeeper for Zenit in 2001, after Berezovsky left the club. Malafeev eventually became the first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Kamil Čontofalský and won the UEFA Cup in 2008 after keeping a clean sheet against Rangers in the final.
On 19 November 2003, Malafeev debuted as a goalkeeper for the national team in a Euro 2004 qualifiers play-off against Wales. He was chosen as the second choice goalkeeper behind Sergei Ovchinnikov and ahead of Igor Akinfeev. Malafeev participated in Euro 2004 coming on after Ovchinnikov's red card against Portugal and starting against Greece. After Euro 2004, Malafeev, became the first choice goalkeeper for Russia succeeding Ovchinnikov. After a long-term injury in May 2005, Malafeev lost his place in the goal for Zenit and Russia to Kamil Čontofalský and Igor Akinfeev, respectively. In 2007, played in two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia after Akinfeev's long-term injury but was relegated to the bench in favor of Vladimir Gabulov. After Zenit's successful UEFA Cup campaign he lost a narrow battle with Igor Akinfeev for the first choice goalkeeper spot in Russia's Euro 2008 squad. Nonetheless, he stayed on as the second choice goalkeeper ahead of Gabulov. He was the starting goalkeeper in the game that Russia lost to Portugal with a score of 1–7 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He was confirmed for the finalized UEFA Euro 2012 squad on 25 May 2012. After the UEFA Euro 2012 he announced that he is retiring from the national team to spend more time with his children, but is prepared to be called up in case of emergency such as injuries to other top goalkeepers.
- Club
- FC Zenit Saint Petersburg (1999–2016)
- Club
- FC Zenit-2 (1997–2000)
- Club
- Russia men's national football team (2003–2012)
- National team
- Russia
Personal
Vyacheslav and his wife Marina had two children: Ksenia and Maxim. Marina Malafeeva died in a car crash on the morning of 17 March 2011, aged 37. His second wife is Ekaterina Malafeeva, they married in December 2012 and broke up in September 2021. They also have a child named Alex. In February 2025 he married the Olympic silver medalist and world champion rhythmic gymnast Angelina Shkatova.
Clubs
- FC Zenit-21997–2000
- FC Zenit Saint Petersburg1999–2016
- Russia men's national football team2003–2012
Played together with
Alan KasaevFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2004–2007
Alejandro DomínguezFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2007–2009
Aleksandar LukovićFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2010–2014
Aleksandr AnyukovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2005–2020
Aleksandr BukharovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2010–2014- Aleksandr IvanovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 1949–1960
Aleksandr KerzhakovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2001–2006- Aleksandr KerzhakovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2010–2017
Aleksandr KokorinFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2016–2019- Aleksandr KokorinFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 2019–2020
Aleksandr PanovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 1994–1994- Aleksandr PanovFC Zenit Saint Petersburg · 1997–2000
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Malafeev is a Russian football official and former player who played as a goalkeeper. He is a one-club man, having spent all 17 of his professional seasons with Zenit Saint Petersburg. He also represented the Russian national team, earning 29 caps. He worked as an assistant director of sports for Zenit from 2016 to 2020.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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