The former head coach of Russian clubs Anzhi Makhachkala and Luch-Energiya Vladivostok, Aleksandr Grigoryan, told Sputnik on Saturday that he did not understand why the income of Russian football players was so high, despite the fact that it would be considered an achievement if the national team reach the knockout stage at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay midfielder Mauricio Pereyra said in an interview to the Spanish media outlet Zona Mixta on Thursday that some players with the Russian citizenship had contracts similar to Egypt forward Mohamed Salah's, but the levels of their footballing ability were completely different.
"Everyone says that it would be an achievement if Russia reach the knockout stage at the World Cup, so why the hell are we paying such salaries if getting past the group stage is an achievement? Let's live within our means, then some of the football players will think of going abroad to develop. But they don't have any motivation to go there as they are set up for life after two or three seasons here. It's just football, a game, it shouldn't be that way," Grigoryan said.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, with Russia playing Saudi Arabia in the opening match.
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