According to FIFA, when a team makes it to the quarter-finals of a major tournament only star players receive all the attention, while the success is achieved with the help of a lot of people who are "left behind the scenes."

Zhirkov was named an "unsung hero" for playing for his team in the round of 16 match against Spain in spite of his injury and helping the hosts to book a place in the last eight.

“Even before the game I felt pain in the Achilles tendon. After the first half it became so strong, so I had to ask for a substitution," Zhirkov said.