". In 1999 he played for Los Andes before moving to the Spanish top division club Badajoz. After three seasons with this team, Braque returned to Boca for one season.

In 2003 he moved to Russia and began to play for Torpedo-Metallurg (later renamed to Moscow). The Argentine made his debut for the new team in the match against Yaroslavl Shinnik in July. Moreover, in the very first games for new club only caused bewilderment among fans and specialists; one of the journalists even called it "the mountain of marriage." Hector scored his first goal in Russia on August 1 in the match of substitutes. Then Braka was injured and dropped out for several weeks. On September 22, Bracamonte scored his first goal in the Russian Championship, which really did not save Tor-Met from defeat. In the 26th round, Hector scored a double and helped the metallurgists defeat Saturn from Ramensk. In total, in his first season for Torpedo-Metallurg, he played 9 matches and scored 5 goals.

The next season was the best for the Argentinean in the Russian segment of his career. On March 8, in the Russian Cup match, Bracamonte scored a double and helped the Muscovites beat Tomsk Tom. This match turned out to be the last for a team called Torpedo-Metallurg, because it was renamed to Moscow. In the first game of the championship against CSKA, Bracamonte did not score, but was very active on the field. The match ended in a goalless draw. On March 29, in the match of the third round of the championship, Hector scored in the 11th second of the match with Moscow "Spartak", but thanks to two penalties, which Dmitry Parfyonov converted, the "red-whites" won 3: 2. This goal became the most beautiful goal of the tour according to Sport-Express and the fastest goal in the Russian championship since 2000. At the same time, Braque was given the nickname "Football Pushkin". In the match against Lokomotiv, Bracamonte scored the winning goal against the railroad in the 22nd minute, and also had a few more chances to score. Due to disqualification, Bracamonte was unable to play 1/4 of the Russian Cup in the return match. In the 9th round of the Russian Championship, Hector helped Torpedo-Metallurg avoid defeat in the match against Saturn near Moscow, and in the next round he scored the winning goal against Rotor Volgograd. On May 28, the Torpedo-Metallurg team changed their name to Moscow. On June 2, Braka played for the Russian national team of legionnaires. His team lost 3: 1. In the 14th round, the Argentine striker helped the “townspeople” to defeat the Yaroslavl “Shinnik”. On August 16, Hector again scored in the derby against Torpedo, which, however, did not help Moscow win. In the 28th round of the championship, Hector scored against Spartak Moscow. The match ended with a score of 2: 3 in favor of the "red-whites". In total, Bracamonte played 30 matches during the season and scored 11 goals, gave 3 assists. He finished fifth in the bombing race.

In 2005, the Argentine scored six goals in 27 matches. The following year was the worst for a player in Russia - only 3 goals in 26 games. In the 2007 season, Bracamonte scored the winning goal in the first match against Luch-Energia, which, moreover, became the first in the championship.

Former striker"Moskva" Hector Bracamonte gave an interview to "KV", in which he shared his opinion on the problems Russian football and also told how interest in Zenit has grown in South America.

"ARGENTINA TEAM PLAYS BAD"

"And then I pointed a machine gun at Kadyrov ..." Hector Bracamonte spoke about his life in Russia

- Do you like how preparations for the World Cup are going in Russia?
- Of course, I see how people are trying, the organization is at an excellent level. Actually, this was shown by the Confederations Cup. Even then, it was clear that the World Cup would be held in the same vein, if not better. I will definitely be at this tournament. I am sure it will be amazing.

- Were you at the match Russia - Argentina (0: 1)?
- No. Unfortunately, I was not invited, I watched only on TV. I will say that Argentina looked very bad. Moreover, she played poorly not only with Russia, but for the last three months. Our team has good players, but absolutely no team. So the main task facing the Argentine national team is to build a team game. And now any opponent can beat us.

- What are these problems connected with?
- As they say in Russia: "The fish rots from the head ...". We have big problems in the football federation. Three presidents have been replaced in two years. Plus, the coaching leapfrog: during the year, three people have been the head coach. This is not very good, because each player was pretended to match one coach, then another. Hence the result.

- Experts emphasize that the team plays only thanks to Messi.
- The fact that our team has Lionel is very good. On the other hand, it is sad that the national team depends on one person. No matter how super-player he is, I think that it should not be so. Unfortunately, the match with Nigeria (2: 4) exposed these problems. Everyone saw how our team played without Leo. God grant that he got to the world championship. He is the best footballer on the planet.

- The draw will take place soon. Who would you like Argentina to play with?
- For Argentina, it is always good when strong teams come across, that's why we concentrate with them.

"THE MAIN STAR OF RUSSIAN FOOTBALL - KOKORIN"

- Do you think the current Russian team is able to qualify from the group at the World Cup?
- I take the match against Argentina out of the brackets. The Russian footballers performed well against Spain. 3: 3 against such a team - good result... On the other hand, we understand that the World Cup is a completely different tournament, the stakes are high, and the teams will play from the knife. Hopefully Russia will be lucky and will make it out of the group.

- Who is the main star in Russian football now?
- Kokorin. In Argentina they know about him, as they follow Zenit. Five of my compatriots are on this team. And, of course, this cannot be ignored. All those who look after Driussi or Mammana here also know Kokorin, because he is their partner. His craftsmanship is highly regarded in Argentina. In general, special attention is paid to Zenit in the Argentine press: who played how, who scored how much, and so on.

- Should Russian players try their hand abroad?
- I think that Russian footballers are better off playing at home. There is always a house at hand, good salaries, bonuses. Why do you need this? What is the Russian proverb, "where he was born - there he came in handy ...".

"IN" TEREK "DIDN'T JUSTIFY HOPES"

Moscow forward Hector Bracamonte: I'll get a haircut and won't be Pushkin ...

- You played a lot in the Russian championship. Is it a shame that "Moscow" no longer exists?
- Very sorry. We had a great team, an excellent coach, and we showed beautiful and interesting football.

- You also played in Terek. Do you remember this time with nostalgia?
- I am glad that I managed to play for this club for two years. In Grozny, they helped me to settle down and my family too. It was a wonderful experience. The only thing I regret is that I could not justify the hopes that the leadership placed on me.

- Do you like today's Russian championship?
- There is Interesting games... But the problem with Russian football is that there are few games in a season. Only 30 rounds in the championship, plus a cup, and who else is lucky - European cups. Argentina has Appertura, Claussura, Argentina Cup, Libertadores Cup, South American Cup. That is, a footballer plays 50-60 matches per year, and you only have 30. This is very little, and for a Russian footballer, such a regime will not be beneficial. You have four coldest months of the year, and during this period it is impossible to play football.

- You played in Russia according to the "spring-autumn" system, now we have the opposite.
- We used to start in March and finish in November. And now they start in July, finish in December, and resume in March. A player without football for three months. The second round of the championship is not going well for you. Someone is injured, one has left, the second has arrived. Those who were in good shape in the first round lose it by the spring. It's better for me when the championship is held in one breath, without long pauses.

"THE CONFRONTATION OF" SIDE "AND" RIVERA "HAS GOT QUIET"

- How do you like the current championship in Argentina?
- Many people think that all our big players play in Europe, it's true. But, I believe that we have good young growth and they progress, then they leave. Unfortunately, Argentina does not pay as much as in other countries. This is the reason for leaving.

We cannot give Driussi as much money as Zenit pays him. He played at home, scored many goals and left immediately. In place of Sebastian, another player at River Plate is now playing, who also scores a lot.

- Is the confrontation between Boca and River as fierce as before?
- It became calmer (if we talk about the fans). For example, if Boca is playing at home, not a single Rivera fan is in the stadium, and vice versa. Therefore, there are no hassles.

Hector Bracamonte: Russians are better at home. Why do you need to go abroad?

Former Moscow striker Hector Bracamonte gave an interview to Sovetsky Sport, in which he shared his opinion on the problems of Russian football, and also told how interest in Zenit has grown in South America.

"ARGENTINA TEAM PLAYS BAD"

Articles | "And then I pointed a machine gun at Kadyrov ..." Hector Bracamonte spoke about his life in Russia

- Do you like how preparations for the World Cup are going in Russia?
- Of course, I see how people are trying, the organization is at an excellent level. Actually, this was shown by the Confederations Cup. Even then, it was clear that the World Cup would be held in the same vein, if not better. I will definitely be at this tournament. I am sure it will be amazing.

- Were you at the match Russia - Argentina (0: 1)?
- No. Unfortunately, I was not invited, I watched only on TV. I will say that Argentina looked very bad. Moreover, she played poorly not only with Russia, but for the last three months. Our team has good players, but absolutely no team. So the main task facing the Argentine national team is to build a team game. And now any opponent can beat us.

- What are these problems connected with?
- As they say in Russia: "The fish rots from the head ...". We have big problems in the football federation. Three presidents have been replaced in two years. Plus, the coaching leapfrog: during the year, three people have been the head coach. This is not very good, because each player was pretended to match one coach, then another. Hence the result.

- Experts emphasize that the team plays only thanks to Messi.
- The fact that our team has Lionel is very good. On the other hand, it is sad that the national team depends on one person. No matter how super-player he is, I think that it should not be so. Unfortunately, the match with Nigeria (2: 4) exposed these problems. Everyone saw how our team played without Leo. God grant that he got to the world championship. He is the best footballer on the planet.

- The draw will take place soon. Who would you like Argentina to play with?
- For Argentina, it is always good when strong teams come across, that's why we concentrate with them.

"THE MAIN STAR OF RUSSIAN FOOTBALL - KOKORIN"

- Do you think the current Russian team is able to qualify from the group at the World Cup?
- I take the match against Argentina out of the brackets. The Russian footballers performed well against Spain. 3: 3 against such a team is a good result. On the other hand, we understand that the World Cup is a completely different tournament, the stakes are high, and the teams will play from the knife. Hopefully Russia will be lucky and will make it out of the group.

- Who is the main star in Russian football now?
- Kokorin. In Argentina they know about him, as they follow Zenit. Five of my compatriots are on this team. And, of course, this cannot be ignored. All those who look after Driussi or Mammana here also know Kokorin, because he is their partner. His craftsmanship is highly regarded in Argentina. In general, special attention is paid to Zenit in the Argentine press: who played how, who scored how much, and so on.

- Should Russian players try their hand abroad?
- I think that Russian footballers are better off playing at home. There is always a house at hand, good salaries, bonuses. Why do you need this? What is the Russian proverb, "where he was born - there he came in handy ...".

Fans of "Moscow", "Terek", "Rostov" remember his incredible goals, dedication on every piece of the field, incredibly clever passes. Less dedicated football fans will probably remember the "hairy Argentinian with a pigtail", who in 2007 literally on his hump pulled the Moscow football club to the fourth line of the Russian championship and to the final of the National Cup. He scored with a smile, spoke excellent Russian, played the guitar and sang.

In 2012, he left Russia and disappeared from our radars. Around the same period, the news that Hector Bracamonte ended his football career also applies. In his last football club Second Argentine League, Rosario Central, 35-year-old Hector played only nine matches and scored one goal.

Hector Bracamonte: After I left Russia, I continued my career at the Argentinean club Rosario Central. But in one of the games I was seriously injured - a ruptured Achilles tendon. It took two surgeries and two years of recovery to heal the injury. But in the end, the doctors still said that it was simply impossible to play football with such a leg. Yes, I myself felt it. The injury left me no choice - it was because of it that I stopped playing football. If not for the damage, rest assured, I would still be running across the field.

Stepan Chaushyan, AiF.ru: What did you do after the end of your football career?

To be honest, after finishing my career I did a lot of things. In December, coaching courses will end, as a result of which I will receive a license and officially become a coach. I also continue to improve my guitar playing. I play in my rock band called Noes Moscada (in Russian it means “nutmeg” - ed.). I also have my own music program on the radio. But most of all my time and energy is taken up by my work in the Boca Juniors club, where I am now a coach of youth teams for children under 15 and under 19 years old.

Photo: facebook.com

- Would you like to become a head coach?

- I would like to. This is exactly what I am striving for. Being a coach will allow me to continue doing what I love the most - football.

- There are many videos on the Internet where you play the guitar and sing. Are you going to seriously take up music, or is it just a hobby?

- Music is my second love after football. This is something that I can never refuse in my life, something that makes me enjoy life and energizes. I cannot see myself without music, as well as without football.

- I was at your concert in Moscow, in the "House by the Road" club, then you played for the "Moscow" team. How did the club feel about your hobby?

- In a football club, no one should interfere with the players from doing something else, if this does not negatively affect their game and training. And that never happened to me. On the contrary, playing the guitar, like any creative activity, stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for creativity. I am sure that all football players should engage in some kind of creativity - this is like training for the brain, which allows you to increase the speed of thought, the speed of decision-making, including on the field.

Photo: facebook.com

- In Russia, you played in three clubs, you made a lot of friends - do you communicate with someone from Russia now? Maybe you want to come to Russia?

- I was in Russia quite recently - in March. I was lucky because I visited not only Moscow, but also Rostov. Everywhere I was received with joy - in your country I have many friends with whom I continue to communicate. Russia is my second home. I am very grateful to her for all the opportunities that she gave me. And do you know what I want to say? You won't get rid of me that easily.

- In Russia you played in Moscow, Terek and Rostov - which team did you like more?

- It's a difficult question, because I have fond memories of each of the clubs I played for in Russia. I spent six amazing years at Moscow - good times ... for the most part. This is the club where I spent best years of his career, played the strongest. Playing for Moscow, I grew up as an athlete and as a person. But it would be unfair not to mention Terek, for which I played in 2010 - then we were like football kamikaze - fought to the last in every match. These are special feelings. At Rostov, although I spent only one season there, I felt like I was back home. This season was not easy, but the main thing is that we have fulfilled the task set before us.

- When you played in Moscow, there were rumors that Oleg Blokhin demanded that you cut your famous pigtail - is that true?

- Blokhin and I had a good relationship. But sometimes sparks slipped between us, because we both wanted to do what, in our opinion, should benefit the team. No offense, but in some certain situations, he just bothered me. I think I had the same effect on him. The only difference is that I did it on purpose - to be angrier on the field. And Whitebeard acted as a mediator in these relations - he softened the uncomfortable situation. True, I never heard that Blokhin thought about my hairstyle. But in Russia they still wanted to cut my "dread" (Rasta pigtail - ed.). That was when I played for Terek - before the match with Dynamo. Representatives of the Moscow club asked me to cut the dreadlocks because, in their opinion, I could pose a danger to their defenders. As a result, I had to call a judge and discuss with him this “lethal weapon” of mine. He decided that I can play without changing my hair. As a result, I did cut my "dread" for the first time since 2005. I did this when I realized that I would never play football again.

- Which of the coaches in Russia was the most memorable?

- Of course, Leonid Slutsky - he was the best. He is a wise, capable, excellent person, very honest, diligent and hardworking.

- After Moscow, you played in Grozny for Terek. Its owner, Ramzan Kadyrov, is a very unusual person. Were there any interesting stories with him?

- These are all rumors. Yes, Ramzan Kadyrov is the president of the republic, and a lot of power is concentrated in his hands, but at the same time he remains the same person as everyone else, like you and me. He loves to listen to music, dance, play football, walk, eat ... you understand. He is young and has the same concerns as everyone else. But otherwise, of course, his life can hardly be called ordinary. When he came to our training, to play football, and this happened more than once or twice, he was always friendly and communicated with us with respect. All the stories and funny situations that we had with him may seem curious to many, but for us, for those who understand the situation, they are quite normal. In general, there are many misconceptions in the world about Chechnya and the people who live there, even in Russia - on the rest of its territory. There is a lot of misinformation.

Here Ector, apparently, decided not to wake up famously, because the Argentine press is replete with stories about that period of Bracamonte's life, which belongs to the Terek. For example, the footballer himself told how he ended up in a car with Ramzan Kadyrov and became interested in a Kalashnikov assault rifle that one of the guards had. The President of Chechnya allowed the footballer to hold the weapon, but did not expect that Bracamonte would accidentally point the barrel in his direction - through negligence. The player was immediately stopped by a bodyguard. A little later, the footballer was shown that the weapon was loaded ...

- If some Argentine footballer asks for advice on whether to go to Russia, what will you answer him?

- I will not try to persuade him to go to Russia or to dissuade him from doing so. I'll just try to list all the objective advantages and disadvantages. In fact, he was the same and talked with many of those Argentines who left for Russia to play before me. Surprisingly, before the move, I managed to communicate with almost everyone, except for my partners in Moscow, where I had to go.

- Do you continue to follow the Russian championship? If so, which team do you support?

- I continue to root for Terek Grozny, because my two Brazilian brothers, Antonio Ferreira and Mouricio, play there. By the way, it is very easy for me to watch the Russian championship. Here in Argentina, I watch the live broadcast over breakfast. Usually I watch one or two games a week. I also follow the success of Russian teams in the Europa League and Champions League.

- At the 2014 World Cup, the Argentine national team performed very well, while Russia was unsuccessful. What do you think is the problem with the Russian team?

- Not a single victory in the group stage - this, of course, cannot be called a positive experience for Russia. But still, in this situation, there are things to learn from. And everything could have turned out differently, if Akinfeev's mistake had not happened, or if Kokorin had used your surest chance ... It would have changed history. Of course, Russia should not allow itself to fly home after the very first round of the World Cup. But, if this has already happened, you need to heal the wounds and never repeat your mistakes again. This happens with the best teams in the world.

- In 2018, the world championship will be held in Russia. Do you think Russia will be able to host the World Cup at a good level? Would you like to come to the World Cup?

- Without a doubt, I will come to the next world championship in Russia. I want your country to overcome the image that it has in the world now. If you do not take into account the athletic performance of the national team, the main challenge for the country will be meeting many international requirements. But I am sure that Russia will have a great 2018 World Cup. But my greatest dream for this tournament is for Argentina to finish one position higher than in 2014 in Brazil. I would also like to thank everyone who remembers me and say hello to friends in Russia.

Hector Bracamonte: "Instead of a vacation, Slutsky flew to watch Mourinho coaching"

The best Argentinian of Russian football in an interview with Match TV recalls Ramzan Kadyrov's assault rifle, Valery Petrakov's prison and the death of FC Moskva. Argentina's national team will start at the America's Cup very soon, on Match TV.

Like a son

Hector Bracamonte spent eight years in Russia and still returns here regularly. This time - to the world championship among artists. Throughout the game with Kazakhstan, Bracamonte stood alone in the attack and from there watched as the playful Kazakhs hammered one ball after another, and from the bench and stands shouted La puta que te pario to the referee. It all ended with a score of 0: 7, then Argentina would lose a crushing defeat to Iran and drive a zero draw with Slovakia. Bracamonte will not score a goal, but he will play a couple of concerts with his band.

During his career in Russia, the same big defeat as against Kazakhstan was at Moscow, against Rubin - 0: 6, - recalls Bracamonte. - Chori Dominguez scored four goals, it's just a nightmare. Today it was also very difficult. Argentina has all the old people, and the Kazakhs are young. Our entire team is my friends, musicians. They, of course, meet together on the field, play, but not like Kazakhstan. Their task is to win the championship, but we only came for friendship, for spirit.

- What are you doing now?

There are many things to do, but the main work is in the Boca Juniors double. I started in a youth school, and then, together with Rolando Schiavi, who was an excellent footballer in the past, moved to the second team. A very good place: the players are wonderful, and the club is very great, I played there for a long time.

When you first arrived in Russia, in training you could not jump over the barrier and could barely stand on your feet. Why?

Adaptation went badly. Another country, training, championship, I'm still young, different language, different food ... It took time. I am strong, just at first in "Moscow" my form was imperfect. I was even injured right away.

- Immediately upon arrival in Moscow, you got lost in the metro together with Gustavo Pinto. Which station?

Yes, we got lost a thousand times. I remember once we wanted to see Red Square with Pinto. We sit down in the metro, get off at Kurskaya and the first thing that we see is "Atrium". But in the end it turned out to be good: we then began to live near Kursk.

- In Moscow, were you neighbors with Pablo Barrientos?

Yes, and in Argentina now too. He is in San Lorenzo, played in the final of the championship against Lanus (San Lorenzo lost 0: 4, Barrientos spent one half - Match TV). Pablo is a normal person, he was like a son to me in "Moscow". When he had doubts, I always resolved them. On the pitch, Pablo can be explosive, but in life everyone loves him.

Barrientos once missed the bus, then overtook him, went to training first, and Oleg Blokhin kicked him out anyway. How did it work for you under Blokhin?

This is not the only problem with Blokhin. Tactically, he is a very competent specialist, but he is a serious person. When a footballer does not do what he has to do, the coach needs to, how is it in Russian ... Punish? Blokhin was in his own right. He was not doing well with me either: we both have a strong character, I, like him, wanted the best for the team, so we didn't always get along. But everything was decided. I went to almost all the matches, he was happy with me, and I was happy with him.

Push

- How many legionnaires in Russia have you taught Russian?

I mean, I'm a teacher? I haven't taught anyone, I'm just a translator! And why teach if no one has ever learned Russian. Barrientos did not teach, Pinto did not teach, Maxi Lopez, Maxi Morales, too.

- And Mauricio says you taught him Russian.

Mauricio is my son! He taught him, yes, he helped. And I myself, as soon as I arrived in Moscow, sat at dictionaries for the first week. No courses - over the Internet, at home, listening to music, all by myself. I taught in total for four months, then I just talked. Words that I often hear, but I don’t know, I write down on my phone. And now too, look: pushing is empujar.

You have interacted with many Argentines in the Premier League. One of them, Barijo, went to training at Saturn with eight rings.

Yes, he had a ring on all his fingers. Barijo is an unusual person, but funny and very kind. In Argentina, he grew up in bij (as we call the favelas), did not go to school, the houses there are uncomfortable, without water and toilets, people are poor. There are many drugs, they kill, but the police and the governor cannot do anything. And when Barijo came to Russia and saw all these things ... I was lucky, I grew up in a normal family. But if you move a hundred meters from the best place in Buenos Aires, it will be the worst.

In general, they immediately recall the fight between Barijo and Bastia in the match against CSKA. Everyone there fought: Pavlovich, Montenegro, Jean, Zheder ... Barijo seems to be the biggest nutcase of them all. CSKA scored in the last minutes, and at Saturn the Latin Americans are hot, they loved to fight. Bastia lost his head, Zhirkov too - they started a fight.

- Tomas Cizek calls you the funniest player in Moscow. Who will you name?

Roma Adamov is very funny, he also joked a lot, but all in conversations. But who always makes jokes is me. Everyone had the same problem: where are my boots, Braka, where are my boots?

Kirill Nababkin, with whom you shared the number in Moscow, at CSKA once announced to the guards by radio that the base was being seized by Spartak fans. How were you kidding?

Sheshukov and Rebko have just arrived at Moscow. The workout ended, they went to the shower together, I followed them with soap. I throw away the soap and say to Sheshukov: come on, pick it up. Sheshukov looks at me like this! It's a joke, I say, and he: “Marriage, this is not a good joke for me. First day!"

Prison

- "Terek" paid about two million dollars for you. How much did you raise your salary compared to "Moscow"?

Why are you interested in this? Not twice, no, less. Of course, I came to Terek because they gave more money than Moscow. We were in first place when I left for Grozny, but I ended up in Terek not only because of the money. Dmitriev (Igor Dmitriev, former president of FC Moskva - Match TV) told me: “Moscow has big money problems, and if you go to Terek, you will help us.” Two years of a contract at Terek helped me, my family.

In "Moscow" I was not paid a large contract (Bracamonte's salary in "Moscow" reached a million dollars - "Match TV"), but they needed help. Six months before the closure of the club, Dmitriev said that if the club did not find sponsors, in six months there would be no “Moscow”. Then, after all, all the Argentines were sold, and also Stas Ivanov, Oleg Kuzmin, Sergei Semak - all left.

- You moved to Terek with an injury. What are your memories of Chechnya?

When I played in Moscow, I heard only bad things about Grozny, about Chechnya, about Terek. Then I went there, convinced that everything was wrong. I know that in Terek they expected more of me: that I would take the ball and go to score a bunch of goals. I didn't play the way they wanted in Terek. But all the same, there are honest people in Terek, they have a Latin spirit, do you understand? All Chechens behaved very well with me, as I did with them.

- Luke Wilkshire's wife walks around Grozny without a headscarf. How is yours?

My family and I lived in Kislovodsk, and only played in Grozny. But Mauricio and I walked around Grozny a lot, took a taxi, went to restaurants, and everything was calm. There are a couple of things that you don't understand, but this is a different country, different people. Although nothing strange for me, I am from Argentina.

- The story about how you pointed a loaded machine gun at Ramzan Kadyrov - not a bike?

It happened on my very first day at Terek! Well, it's more of an anecdote like that. The machine gun was in the Mercedes where we were driving, and the guards were immediately alarmed. I heard that Kadyrov gives presents to Terek players, but he did not give me anything. What for? Do not. He talked to me so well, there was not a single problem. I spoke to Kadyrov like any other person, and he respected that.

- Did you cut your hair short in Russia for the first time at Rostov?

Back in Moscow. Why? Just. And the last time was a year or a year and a half ago. I told the young men: if you become champions, I will shave naked. Well, they did. And in Russia, many coaches were unhappy with my long hair. They said: "Marriage, this is inconvenient." And they don't bother me. Once at Dynamo they decided that Bracamonte's hair and braids were dangerous for them. The judge came and said: it's just hair, come on, let's go play.

- You once wrote the song “Petrakov's Prison”. Can you hum in Russian?

I don't remember exactly, but I'll try. “I open my eyes and I don’t see my wife, I see Petrakov. I'm going to eat and I don't see my children, but I see Petrakov. " And stuff like that. It was when we sat at the base a lot. We played in the Russian championship and reached the cup final. We play on Sunday and Wednesday, Sunday and Wednesday, and then always to the base, to the base, to the base ... I took the guitar: this is a prison, ... [damn], I only live here.

- How many days a week does music take from you now?

In Argentina, I opened my own bar - "Balcony De Blues". I have a band, I often play there. Music is my life. My brother, cousin, aunt, the whole family are musicians, and so am I. And I became a football player because everyone in Argentina wants to play football. We're playing with my band tomorrow.

- Why didn't you put together a group with Barrientos, Cavenaghi and Burdisso, as dreamed?

I wanted to record a CD where each song will feature one footballer and one great Argentine musician. I wanted to, but they never got it. And in "Moscow", when he played the guitar, Barrientos played along on the drums. I bought myself an electronic one in Spain. The neighbors didn't like it, the guitar is nicer. We lived in the same room with Yop, I told him: "My friend, I'm sorry, I will play the guitar." I'm not sure if he liked listening or not.

Not dumb

The three best players in Russia for Miodrag Bozovic are Georgi Peev, Kevin Kuranyi and you. Best coach with whom you worked in Russia?

Bozovic is very good man, special. Miodrag is forever in my heart, he knows how to talk to everyone, he feels the legionnaires and at the same time knows how the Russians think.

But for me the best is Slutsky. I already knew in "Moscow": he will be the best. So he told him: you will be the coach of the national team, and then I will head CSKA. Otherwise he wanted everything, both the national team and CSKA ... Come on, Slutsky, let others work. So far with CSKA I have not succeeded, really.

- What was Slutsky like 12 years ago?

I remember that he started in the Moscow double, and took the first team after Petrakov. I’m a coach now and I understand Slutsky: I know what it’s like when you’re a coach and you can’t play football anymore. When Slutsky was more inexperienced, he worried more than now. But even then it was clear: his eyes and ears are always open. The championship ended, but he did not take a vacation, flew to Italy, Spain, watched how Mourinho was being trained and I don't remember who else is in Real, Del Bosque, I think. Slutsky studied all the time, so he has more prospects than other coaches in Russia.

- Which of Mourinho did Slutsky quote?

Yes, he has his own style. He just stole a little bit from everyone he studied with. In CSKA he had and still has different players, and Slutsky knows how to communicate with Wagner, with Musa, with the Russians. He knows the mentality of international coaches. And with the national team, he got to the European Championship, and this is the first step. Then we'll see.

You worked in Rostov with Sergei Balakhnin, and now he and Slutsky are in the Russian national team. Did you know about it?

Did not know. Balakhnin is an experienced coach, I remember him. But I will say this: Slutsky is not stupid. Experienced trainers always work with him. And the person who works in the same headquarters with Slutsky is definitely a good one.

- Slutsky said that you could have done nothing in training - you took care of your health for the game.

I knew what I needed, so I did not work more in training than was required. An hour and a half was enough for me, two is too long for me, and for the last half hour I have not trained. I just walked around the field. But I played the entire 90 minutes of the match. Slutsky was ready for this.

Text: Alexander Muyzhnek

Photo: Getty Images, saturn-fc.ru, RIA Novosti / Said Tsarnaev, RIA Novosti / Ilya Pitalev