Known as O Zar de Balaídos ("The Tsar of Balaídos") from his lengthy spell at Celta de Vigo, he was often referred to as a 'genius playmaker' during his time there, in addition to a volatile temperament.[1][2] He also played professionally in his own country, Portugal and France.
Mostovoi's big break came when he signed for Celta de Vigo in 1996, for 325 million pesetas (about €1.95 million). He made his debut for the Galicians in a 2–0 home defeat against Real Betis, and his creative play and key goals made him a cult figure at Balaídos as the club rose to near the top of La Liga standings year after year.
Affectionately nicknamed 'The Tsar of Balaídos' by the fans, Mostovoi formed an impressive midfield society with, amongst others, compatriot Valery Karpin, and helped Celta win the 2000 UEFA Intertoto Cup; the final was a 4–3 aggregate win over his hometown club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.[3] However, he could not help the freefall that hit the team in the 2003–04 season, relegating it to the second division after the player appeared in a career-worst (in his Celta career) 24 matches.[4] His top-flight tally of 235 games for Celta was a club record until Hugo Mallo broke it in 2021.[5]
Alavés
Having not played for over eight months, and at the age of 36, Mostovoi signed a contract with Dmitry Pietrman's Deportivo Alavés in early March 2005, initially until the end of the second level campaign.[6] His first and only game came in a league game against Cádiz CF in which he came on as a substitute, in the 78th minute – he scored the Basques' only goal (and nearly added a second) in an eventual 1–3 defeat.
Having been with the club for only 30 days, Mostovoi told the club directors of his intention to retire claiming he was suffering from back problems.[2]
Mostovoi's exclusion from Euro 2004's national squad happened after the 0–1 group stage loss to Spain. Supposedly, the player talked with the media after the match and gave an interview saying that Yartsev was not a good coach and did not understand anything. This was later proven false, after Mostovoi gave another interview and explained he merely said that Yartsev overworked the players during practice, so they didn't have the necessary energy to play well in matches.[8] All in all, group morale dropped after the incident, and Russia lost the second game to hosts Portugal.
In 2009, Mostovoi was part of the Russia squad that won the Legends Cup.
Style of play
A talented attacking midfielder, Mostovoi was known for his technical ability as well as his temperamental character. A quick, agile, creative, and mobile advanced playmaker, Mostovoi was also tactically versatile, and capable of playing in several midfield and offensive positions. His preferred position was in a free role as a classic number 10, but he was also used in central midfield and as a winger on occasion. Mostovoi was renowned in particular for his first touch and speed on the ball, as well as his timing, interpretation of space and dribbling skills, which enabled him to get past defenders; he was also highly regarded for his vision and precise passing. Capable of both scoring and assisting goals, he had a penchant for scoring goals from distance.[9]
Mostovoi has repeatedly stated his desire and willingness to lead a football club as a manager. However, Mostovoi does not have the necessary UEFA coaching licences, which he does not want to obtain. Since 2011, he has expressed various versions of this decision: from doubts about obtaining new knowledge in coaching courses to corrupt schemes to obtain this licence by other specialists.[11][12]
Mostovoi graduated from college as an electrician, and later joined a sports academy in Moscow, which provided coaching to young players with a university education.[citation needed]
After losing the 2001 Copa del Rey Final, a group of Celta supporters raised four million pesetas to commission a statue of Mostovoi. The player approved and Maxín Picallo was chosen as the sculptor, but the project was never finished; he believed that his dip in form in 2003 affected enthusiasm in the endeavour.[13]
He married Stéphanie in Strasbourg during his time playing in the city.[14] His son of the same name, known by the hypocorism Sacha, trialled with S.L. Benfica B in 2016.[15]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[citation needed]
^Bravo, Alberto (22 August 2020). "La Intertoto celeste cumple 20 años" [20th anniversary of the sky-blue Intertoto] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
^"Alexander Mostovoi" (in Spanish). Yo Jugué en el Celta. 2 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^Bravo, Alberto (26 February 2016). "Sacha Mostovoi a prueba en el Benfica" [Sacha Mostovoi on trial at Benfica] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
