Russia’s national football team captain Artem Dzyuba has launched a damning retaliation on the Premier League’s Ukrainian stars after they called him out for not taking a stance on the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Dzyuba, 33, has spent his entire career in the Russian Premier League after making his debut in 2006 for Spartak Moscow.
Having made 379 appearances in the top-flight in the last 16 years, the 6ft 6in striker has scored 147 league goals to cement his status as one of Russia’s most-loved players.
This resulted in him being offered the captain’s armband for the national team, becoming a spokesperson for Valeri Karpin’s men.
But his position made him a target for Ukraine’s Premier League stars, with Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko calling him out for his stance on the ongoing conflict which continues to cloud over Ukraine’s major cities.
And the giant forward has retaliated with comments of his own in a pro-Russian stance on Instagram, which will only intensify the rivalry between the stars.
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.