1. Yuri Zhirkov was selected to the Russian squads for Euro 2012, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Russia hosted the tournament, and Euro 2020.
32 Facts About Yuri Zhirkov
1. 2.
Yuri Zhirkov's father, Valentin Ivanovich Zhirkov, worked at the Revtrud factory and his mother was a postwoman.
3.
Yuri Zhirkov started his career at Spartak Tambov, where he scored 26 goals in 74 matches playing as a winger before leaving for CSKA Moscow.
4.
Yuri Zhirkov appeared in the third qualifying round against Rangers.
5.
Yuri Zhirkov made his debut in the CIS Cup against Gomel and was replaced in the 70th minute.
6.
Yuri Zhirkov played in both matches against Partizan, and made a save in the second game.
7.
Yuri Zhirkov began his participation in the following season of European competition on 18 September 2008, against Croatian club Slaven Belupo.
8.
Yuri Zhirkov provided goal assists against Nancy, Feyenoord and scored in the game with Lech Poznan.
9.
In 2009, Yuri Zhirkov participated in three matches in European competitions, two against Aston Villa and one against Shakhtar Donetsk.
10.
Yuri Zhirkov scored on his debut in a friendly against Milan, the eventual match-winner.
11.
Yuri Zhirkov made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Joe Cole against West Ham United on 20 December 2009.
12.
On 13 April 2010, Yuri Zhirkov put in a man of the match performance against Bolton Wanderers, despite suffering an injury which required four stitches in his head and had his head bandaged for the remainder of the first half, following a clash with the Bolton captain Kevin Davies.
13.
Yuri Zhirkov started for the first team as a replacement for the injured Ramires against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, providing two crucial assists.
14.
Yuri Zhirkov won a penalty in the 78th minute, taken and scored by Frank Lampard, which proved to be the match-winner.
15.
Yuri Zhirkov hit the post, with the ball being deflected into the net by United centre-back Nemanja Vidic.
16.
On 2 October 2014, in added time at the end of their UEFA Europa League group stage match against PSV, substitute Yuri Zhirkov scored the only goal of the match for Dynamo.
17.
Yuri Zhirkov announced his retirement from playing on 12 February 2023.
18.
Yuri Zhirkov was named in the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament after helping the team to the semi-finals.
19.
In October 2008, Yuri Zhirkov was named as one of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award, given to the top player in Europe.
20.
Yuri Zhirkov was confirmed for Russia's Euro 2012 squad on 25 May 2012, playing in all three of Russia's matches as they were eliminated in the group stage.
21.
On 2 June 2014, Yuri Zhirkov was included in Russia's 2014 World Cup squad.
22.
Yuri Zhirkov was not included in Russia's squad for Euro 2016, but returned for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup where he was in the starting line-up for all three of the team's matches.
23.
Yuri Zhirkov started in the first two group-stage games, and then returned to the starting line-up in the first knock-out stage game against Spain in the Round of 16.
24.
Yuri Zhirkov announced his retirement from the national side following the World Cup.
25.
Yuri Zhirkov started Russia's opening game against Belgium on 12 June 2021, but had to be substituted in the first half due to leg injury.
26.
Yuri Zhirkov did not appear in Russia's two remaining games due to his injury as they were eliminated at group stage.
27.
The younger brother, Nikolai Yuri Zhirkov, played for the CSKA Youth Team.
28.
Yuri Zhirkov married on 1 February 2008 to a Russian model, Inna.
29.
Yuri Zhirkov, driving on a high speed track, hit a pole while trying to avoid a merging racer.
30.
Yuri Zhirkov's airbags deployed, leaving him with only minor injuries.
31.
On 18 December 2008, Yuri Zhirkov was in an accident in Kaliningrad.
32.
Yuri Zhirkov received his secondary education at school No 19, after which he entered the school and began training in the specialty of an electrical technician.