Exactly a year ago, midfielder Roman Shirokov, repeatedly recognized as the best player in the Russian football championship, ended his career. His track record includes bronze at Euro 2008, the UEFA Cup and Super Cup, and three highest medals for winning the All-Russian Championship. Today he is a successful sports functionary, Honored Master of Sports of the Russian Federation. But this is not about him. The heroine of the article is Ekaterina Shirokova, the wife of Roman Shirokov. Their marriage is one of the most stable among representatives of the country's sports elite. What are the reasons for this phenomenon?
Countrywoman
The 36-year-old graduate of the CSKA football school is a native of the city of Dedovsk (Moscow region). His parents separated when the boy was 12 years old. Today my father, who was also a football player in the past, is no longer alive, but my mother still lives in her native Moscow region. It was in this town that Katya Shirokova, the wife of Roman Shirokova, was born. One day, by luck, the girl and her friends found themselves at the stadium. The career of the future best football player in Russia (2012/2013) did not work out at the very beginning. He changed clubs, played for amateur teams, and became addicted to alcohol. On the day we met, the guy was bored on the bench after a leg injury. Together with other players, after the match, I came up to meet Katya and her fellow fans.
At first there was no spark between them; they met purely as friends for a month, and then the rising star was taken into the army altogether.
Roman Adamov’s wife: “We are waiting for the whole team to visit Rostov! With beer and crayfish..."
EVENT OF THE DAY. FOOTBALL EURO 2008. NEWS FROM HOME
Before the most important semi-final of the Russian national team against the Spaniards, the captain’s son and four wives of our players wrote to them with their wishes. Each of their letters has its own story, its own experiences and its own happiness. The five letters have one thing in common: these five, or rather almost six, who wrote them, feel the same thing: ours will win today!
STORY ONE
HOW VITYA SEMSHOV, WHILE DADDY WAS AWAY, GAVE UP FOOTBALL AND FOUND HIS BRIDE...
Larisa SEMSHOVA,
wife of midfielder Igor Semshov:
“Hello, my little bunny! Yesterday in your interview with Soviet Sport I read the following: “I am a realist. I have two children. One will soon go to kindergarten, the other will go to school. It’s not a good time to break away from your homes.” So, realist: me and your two children are ready to follow you anywhere! Two days is enough for us to pack our things. So, if you decide, I’ll collect everything from the Euro before your arrival.
You write that it’s “too late” for you to go abroad. I think you can try it!
During football winters, my dear, you and I have never been anywhere except warm countries. We went to Europe only once - to Milan during the summer break. And since we liked it in Italy, you can safely agree to an offer from any Italian team!
A week ago I wrote to you that I was ready to follow you along the ring road to the airport. I’m afraid that just a little more and my longing for you will bring me to the airport on foot! But then we won't get back. With all your bag.
My daughter and I are in Moscow (Vika. – Ed.)
We are preparing for September at full speed. She counts to twenty, but doesn’t sit too long with her ABC book. It is impossible to force her to stay in one place! In the mornings I now take her to “prepare” for school. We met the future teacher - and at first glance she seemed quite good. True, I don’t know what will happen next: what the children will do with her. Our sociable girl got to know all her classmates. While they are drawing there, we, parents, sit in the hallway for an hour and a half. During recess, our children ran out for five minutes, asked for a drink, and ran away from us around the school. So when you arrive, you will already have a “school assignment”: you will drop Vika off at school on the way to training.
Your beloved daughter, in addition to the postcard “for dad”, which no one in the house found, “published” a newspaper for your arrival. He and his grandmother cut up the entire “Soviet Sport” into photographs. They laid out whatman paper into four columns - according to the number of your games at the Euro, pasted up photographs and wrote about you. Grandmother and Vika are sitting, gluing, and Vitya
(Igor’s two-year-old son. -
Ed.
) runs around, looks at your photos and shouts: “Oh! Dad! This is Dad! It’s dad!” We don’t know what to do anymore! Two more games and we’ll write a book about you...
Our Vitya has given up football again. There's a lot to do! The gentleman helps me carry bags from the shops, walks through the forest, looks for mushrooms, breaks his toy cars - then repairs them. He carries firewood around the yard - he’s a strong guy! His grandmother even brought him a huge plastic ax for this activity - so he managed to disassemble that too! A giant hand is lying on the floor, an ax is on a chair. And most importantly, while you were away, Vitya found himself a bride. I hit on a girl at our friends' birthday party. She is small, and, in my opinion, he confused her with a doll: he hugged and kissed her. Overall, we had a good laugh!
Well, great luck to you, dad! All that’s left is for you to play in the finals with the Germans and become champions!”
STORY TWO
AS THE CAPTAIN OF OUR TEAM, SERGEY SEMAK, BEFORE AN IMPORTANT GAME, MY SON WALKED...
Ilya SEMak,
son of Russian national team captain Sergei Semak:
“Dad! I love you very much. And together with Katya
(Ilya’s aunt.
- Ed.
) and my mother today until late at night I will be rooting for you and our entire team on TV! I wish the Russian team victory over the Spaniards. I wish you, dad, to score a goal against the Spaniards in the final too.”
STORY THREE
HOW MARINA MALAFEEVA PROMISED HER CHILDREN TO RETURN ON JUNE 23, BUT COULD NOT LEAVE FROM HUSBAND...
Marina MALAFEEVA, wife of goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev:
“Slav, I love you! Good luck in tomorrow's game! And you, husband, should always be ready to enter the gate.
I am very happy that during the Euro we see you every day (Marina has been with her friends since June 7 at the European Championships. - Ed.
)!
We meet, walk, even sit in a cafe. And that I am again very close to you (yesterday afternoon Marina moved to a new hotel in Vienna. - Ed.
).
Ksyunechka, daughter, thank you for the letter and forgive me and dad! We welcome you with Maxik
(Ksyusha’s younger brother. –
Ed.
) We love and miss you very much! And on the phone it was very difficult for me to admit to you that I would not come on June twenty-third. Moreover, I knew that you were counting the days until the moment we were supposed to meet. Ksyunechka, please count a few more days...
Mom already wants to go home to you, but for dad’s sake I’ll stay here a little longer. But I promise you that we will never, ever be separated from you for so long again. And when I arrive, we will walk and swim together.
You see how it turned out: I thought of taking you with me, but it was raining and cold. And I decided: “There is nothing for children to do here in this weather.” And now the sun is shining here...
I’ll do a quick shopping for you and Maxim, Ksyunechka, in Vienna. Dad and I bought you dolls and cars in the early days. And in the capital I will find you some beautiful dress. And when we return, you will try it on and... show dad and me our portrait. Yes, our little favorite artist?
STORY FOUR
JUST KATYA SHIROKOVA DID NOT DECIDE TO CALL THEIR FUTURE CHILD GUS...
Katya SHIROKOVA,
wife of defender Roman Shirokov:
“Romka, beloved!
Although Natasha
(wife of
Kostya Zyryanov.
-
Ed.
) and here (in Vienna. Both wives of football players at the Euro - from the very beginning of the tournament. -
Ed.
), we still want to see you even more. What a pity that you don't have days off! It’s still training in the evenings!
The day before yesterday I read that in Russia children are named after Hiddink.
“Name our child Gus? – I thought. - Oh no!" This name does not fit our patronymic and surname at all! Just imagine: “Gus Romanovich Shirokov!” Roman Romanovich? That's not it either!
...When my sister gave birth, somehow everything was simpler! The child was born, she was confused, I suggested calling him Kirill
- and right away we did just that!
And you and I came up with a name for ours in one voice already in the first week of my pregnancy... but I was thinking... it would be more correct to see who he would be like. That’s why you and I, dad, still have everything ahead! I'm going to the store to buy a book of names.
At the stadium we sit steadfastly. Natasha and I are ready to go to two games. Therefore, victory to you!.."
STORY FIFTH, NOT THE LAST
HOW IRINA ADAMOVA RECEIVED CONGRATULATIONS ON HER HUSBAND’S BIRTHDAY...
Irina ADAMOVA,
wife of striker Roman Adamov:
“Hello, Roma!
It’s scary to even think: we haven’t seen each other since the seventeenth of May - we christened our daughter Eva in Rostov,
and you went to Moscow for training camp. But the championship is worth it! Now Eva has become even more like you: she already has completely wavy hair and green eyes.
Three-month-old Eva and I once tried to go to a mass football viewing party. We came to the sports bar, and there were men shouting and smoking - and we went back to our private house.
Eva is a “late” girl and doesn’t sleep during football. I'm sitting in the garden in front of our big TV, watching the game and pushing the baby in the stroller.
We watched the games with Holland and Sweden in the garden - and you won twice. Therefore, we decided to watch the remaining two games in the garden. Damn it.
To me, Rom, on your birthday (June 21. – Ed.)
) all your friends who couldn’t reach you that day called: “Happy birthday, champion!” Many came to our home, brought me flowers - and so we spent the entire game with the Dutch, sitting in the garden at the table, looking at TV and celebrating your holiday.
Rum, we are watching you and always supporting you at home! Thank you for calling Eva and me even fifteen minutes before the game! And he has never spoken to us less than five times a day! And when the game with the Dutch ended, he called within fifteen minutes. Although he was unable to say anything. Only one thing: “Did you see?!” After this game, you didn’t understand anything for another two hours. And cars rushed past our windows. They honked wildly. All night long.
We will soon begin to prepare for the move to Kazan (Adamov signed a contract with Rubin. - Ed.
). In Moscow, of course, it was easier for us. I’m not even sure that a plane flies to Kazan from Rostov. But the issue of moving is not discussed! Do you remember how I drove a car to you from Rostov to Pyatigorsk when you played in Terek? 550 kilometers was not a problem for us. And how you talked to me on the phone “from Moscow”, told me how bored you were, and a minute later appeared on the porch of our house. Do you remember?
I read in Soviet Sport that Denis Kolodin’s
I’m ready to invite the whole team to Denis’s yacht. We will go with pleasure! I'll even take my daughter with me. And we, in turn, are waiting for the whole team to visit us!
We love you. The whole of Rostov is proud of you and Belaya Kalitva (Roman’s birthplace. – Ed.)
). Dad, you are our best! And we are waiting for you with victory! Good luck! Break a leg! Kiss!
PS
We’ll meet you in Rostov with Don food – beer and crayfish!”
Romance with Roman
Catherine had no worries about parting with the young man. But it so happened that communication was not interrupted, and the further they went, the more they both realized how similar they were. The acquaintance took place when Roman was already 20 years old and, it seemed, nothing foreshadowed his stellar destiny. Young people communicated more often in groups. And one day Roman Shirokov’s future wife openly stated that she was not ready to continue leading such a life. It's time to think about the future. We can safely say that it was love, because the football player did not have any million-dollar contracts at that time. But they had talent, ambition, a rebellious spirit and a faithful friend nearby.
Only by 2004 did something begin to change in Shirokov’s career - he began playing for a professional club, albeit from the second division. It was FC Vidnoye. He had nothing to offer his beloved girl, except constant moving and hope for future changes. But she decided to join her destiny with a professional athlete.
[edit] Career
A turning point in the career of the young photographer was an offer from the owner of the salon-gallery “Etude” (Kirovo-Chepetsk) in January 1998 to make the first exhibition. It was these works that became his first portfolio. Literally two months after moving to Moscow, he received an invitation to work in the Cool-girl magazine. Shirokov began taking photographs for the column “How good you are.” But he didn’t stop there: he made a portfolio for models, and they began to invite him to shoot in other magazines. Friends suggested working with Joseph Prigozhin and ORT-Records - photographing Russian performers for the covers of their albums - Alexander Marshal, Alisa Mon, Alexey Glyzin and many others.
In 2004, the first Moscow exhibition of the photographer took place, which was called “Sunrise”. On it, Vladimir Shirokov showed portraits of Russian stars taken in the rays of the rising sun.
But real popularity came after the exhibition “Simply, Stars”, which took place in 2007 in Moscow. The media's attention was attracted by the large number of Russian stars present at the opening.
In 2010, his fellow countryman, singer Nikita, approached Vladimir and asked to shoot a video for the song “Moon”[1]. The music video turned out, and Shirokov also became a music video director.
In 2012, the photographer made promotional materials commissioned by the Rossiya TV channel about the participants of the Eurovision 2012 competition, the folk music group Buranovskie Babushki. At the request of the TV channel, Vladimir accompanied the group to Baku, filmed an artistic photo report about the Russian Eurovision participants, as a result, not only photographs, but also a lot of video material appeared. After the completion of the competition, the idea arose to make a documentary film “Girls” about the group from Udmurtia. Together with journalist Natalya Kiseleva, we filmed all the material necessary for the film in Buranovo, including interviews with all the heroines. The film is currently in the editing stage.
In 2014, the photographer was invited to host the “Fotogramma” program on the Moscow-24 channel. The heroes of the program were Timur Rodriguez, Polina Gagarina, Dominic Joker, Natalya Podolskaya.
In 2009, Vladimir Shirokov began to sing. In 2011, the song “In Bali” was recorded in a duet with singer Victoria Chernyshova, the composition was sounded on “FF-RADIO”. In 2012, an album of dance remixes of Russian hits arranged in a mash-up style was recorded. In 2020, in collaboration with guitarist Dmitry Spivakovsky, the “Songs We Love” program was created. The premiere took place in July 2015 in the city of Kirovo-Chepetsk. Concerts took place in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov. And on May 15, 2020, the Moscow premiere of the program took place at the S.A.D. Theater. It includes retro hits “Old Maple”, “Moscow Nights”, “Lonely Accordion” and others. In 2016, Andrei Danilko’s composition “I Need Your Love So Much” was performed by Shirokov; a video was also being filmed, where Vladimir will be both director and performer.
The fight for family happiness
The midfielder distinguished himself in every match, scoring goals against his opponents, and soon he was invited to play in Ramenskoye (FC Saturn). Success inspired the athlete, and his beloved wife was nearby. They stopped seeing Roman Shirokov in alcohol establishments, and gradually he turned into a completely different person. Although this did not happen right away. Difficult relationships with coaches and uneven play led to clubs changing one after another. True, money appeared to buy two apartments in his native Dedovsk - one for himself, and the second for his mother.
The wife believed in her husband. She became his most devoted fan, attending every match and accompanying him to away games. She began collecting newspaper clippings where they analyzed her husband’s game. The player's talent and incredible support from the second half did their job. At first, Shirokov began to be attracted to the national team, and at almost 27 years old he finally signed a four-year contract with Zenit St. Petersburg. This club became the first serious team in his career. The family was given an apartment in the Northern capital, and the couple began to think about heirs.
FC "Spartak"
In July 2014, Roman Shirokov joined the Spartak team, concluding a contract under the 2+1 scheme - for 2 years with the possibility of extension for a year. The footballer motivated his decision by the fact that his father and godfather, that is, the people who introduced him to the world of football, as well as most of his friends support the red and white club. In addition, according to Shirokov, playing for Spartak challenged his ambitions. The newcomer was assigned number nine - Shirokov gave him preference, since the famous Yegor Titov played under the same number.
At first, Roman Shirokov played in Spartak at number 9
In the first match in the new team, he came on as a substitute and scored a goal against Lokomotiv. However, this goal was the first and last for Spartak. Soon, the footballer’s affairs began to decline, he sat tightly on the bench, and then completely stopped being included in the match roster and was rented by Krasnodar for the second time.
Roman Shirokov's first and last goal for Spartak
Returning to Spartak, Shirokov again entered the main team and changed his number from 9 to 15. At the end of the season, Shirokov and the club management by mutual agreement terminated the contract, and Shirokov received the status of a free agent.
Children
Coincidentally, Ekaterina Shirokova gave birth to her eldest son on the day when Zenit played its first match in the UEFA tournament, claiming the Super Cup. This happened in August 2008, a happy year for the football player. By that time, he had firmly established himself in the national team, winning bronze for the country at the European Championships; As a member of Zenit, he won the Russian Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. The son was named Igor, but even with his birth, Roman Shirokov still felt the support of the family. The wife now went to the games with the baby, literally registering in the ninth sector of the stadium.
And in August 2012, when the star of Shirokov, recognized as the best player in the country’s domestic championship according to the coaching staff, truly rose, the couple had a daughter, who was named Victoria. In an interview, Ekaterina repeatedly said that her husband is a great father, to whom you can always leave your children without fear, if necessary. There are no differences in education either. The only thing where the spouses disagree is in determining the future for their eldest son. The ex-footballer would not want his son to follow in his footsteps.
Biography of Roman Shirokov
Roman Nikolaevich Shirokov is a midfielder for CSKA, champion of Russia in 2010, 2012 and 2020, winner of the UEFA Cup and Super Cup (2008) and Russia (2008 and 2011). Bronze medalist at the 2008 European Championship and 2009 Russian Championship. Best player of the Champions League 2011. In July 2020, he announced his retirement.
CSKA midfielder Roman Shirokov
Romantic or brawler?
How will the leader who replaced Arshavin and Sychev, Roman Shirokov, the football player, remain in the memory of fans? The wife, whose photo is presented in the article, considers her husband to be a polite and romantic person. But his name is associated with many conflicts and harsh statements in the press. Thus, his incorrect statements about the Spartak team, his conflict with Malafeev, and an unreceived apology from commentator Viktor Gusev, who called the midfielder’s performance a failure in the match against the Spaniards at the 2008 European Championship, are known. Shirokov did not stand on ceremony with the fans either, and spoke harshly in the press.
But Roman Shirokov’s wife says that from the stands you can often hear unpleasant shouts directed at the players, and this is both wrong and unpatriotic. Football for her husband is not just a profession, it is the meaning of his life. Defending her husband, she talks about family stories where he showed his best side. Once, in a jewelry store, the couple were choosing a gift for Katya’s mother, and the girl mentioned that she liked the decoration in the shape of a frog. A few days later she became its owner. Shirokov found an opportunity to make a pleasant surprise for his wife.
Interesting Facts
- Shirokov is one of three Russian football players who scored five goals in one Champions League.
- Shirokov scored for Spartak and CSKA in his debut matches and these goals remained the only ones he scored for these clubs.
- In memory of his father Nikolai Sergeevich Shirokov, Roman annually holds a children's football tournament in his native Dedovsk.
- Roman Shirokov starred in the STS channel series “Big Game”.
- Roman Shirokov is an active user of social networks. He constantly posts his quotes on Twitter and Instagram.
- Roman is known for his sharp statements. He called the Slovakian national team a “collective farm,” he “congratulated” the Spartak fans on their defeat from Zenit, addressing them as “pigs,” and he did not hesitate to call the Zenit fans who lit the fires “morons.”
- After one of these statements, fans of the “red-whites” during the match “Zenit” - “Spartak” recited an extremely indecent chant about Roman Shirokov, set to the tune of the famous song “banana-mama”.
- The footballer also had conflicts with his teammates. Once he spoke impartially about Vyacheslav Malafeev, who missed not the most difficult goal, and at Euro 2016, standing up for Leonid Slutsky, he hit Pavel Mamaev.
- Roman Shirokov starred in several documentaries about football.
- After concluding a contract with CSKA, Roman Shirokov played hockey in the arena of the Moscow club.
After completing his playing career, Roman Shirokov remained in football - he now holds an administrative position at Dynamo Moscow and acts as an expert on the Rossiya 24 TV channel.
Father's Memorial Tournament
Shirokov’s path in sports was not easy. There were ups, but there were also failures: frequent changes of clubs, moves, ending his career with CSKA. But no matter where he played, in Krasnodar, for example, his family was always nearby. Roman Shirokov’s wife is not only involved in raising children, but also supports her husband in his endeavors. So, in 2009, he began holding a children’s tournament in his native Dedovsk. It is dedicated to the memory of his father. It was Nikolai Shirokov who brought his son into football, being a professional player himself. The tournament has turned into a real holiday for the younger generation, where the Shirokovs always come with their whole family.
For personal participation, the time of its holding was changed so that the schedule of games allowed for the full organization of the event. At first the tournament was held in winter, and more recently during the summer holidays. The ex-footballer considers this matter his personal duty.
Roman Shirokov now
Since February 2020, Roman Shirokov has played for CSKA. He signed a contract with the army team until the end of the current season, but the contract included a clause on the possibility of its extension. “CSKA is my home club,” Shirokov told the press when asked about the reasons for his choice.
2020: Roman Shirokov in CSKA
On May 21, CSKA, and with it Roman Shirokov, received the title of Russian champion - the third for Shirokov.
Shirokov also joined the Russian national team for the 2020 European Championship. His teammate, Alexander Golovin, also went to the World Cup.
In July 2020, Roman Shirokov announced that he was ending his football career. Perhaps the reason was Russia's defeat at Euro 2016; one way or another, the footballer did not renew his contract with CSKA, but noted that he wanted to join the coaching staff of the national team.
Glamor in life
Football players are among the highest paid athletes, so they often choose model-looking girls who adorn the front pages of glossy magazines as their companions. Various publications regularly conduct surveys to identify the most beautiful wives of current players. Despite the fact that Catherine fully complies with the aphorism “To become a general, you must first travel to garrisons,” she is in no way inferior to other beauties. Journalists include her in all the top lists, and together with her husband they became guests of Tatler magazine.
