The Rise of Ivan Zlobin From Lev Yashin to Rinat Dasayev, Russia's football history is adorned with remarkable goalkeepers, and at just 27 years old, Ivan Zlobin is on the path to becoming the next great shot-stopper for Russia.
Born in Tyumen, Siberia, Zlobin began his football journey at the age of six with FC Tyumen. His exceptional performances in youth tournaments caught the eye of major clubs, leading him to join the Konoplyov football academy. However, after a funding withdrawal by Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich, Zlobin found himself moving to CSKA Moscow before making a bold decision to relocate to Portugal and join União de Leiria at 18.
A Move to Benfica Just three months later, Zlobin transferred to Benfica’s U-19 team on loan, eventually securing a permanent contract. Despite being second-choice goalkeeper, he trained with the first team and made his official debut in the Taça da Liga against Vitória Sport Clube in September 2019. Unfortunately, a lack of first-team opportunities under new management led him to join Famalicão in August 2020.
Struggles and Resilience Zlobin faced a tough start at Famalicão, struggling in his initial matches and playing only five games over three seasons. Many expected him to leave due to his lack of playing time. However, he expressed a deep connection to the club and community, stating, "I feel very welcome in this club, in this city and in this community. I love to live here."
A Turnaround in Fortune With the departure of Luiz Júnior to Villarreal, Zlobin seized the opportunity to reclaim his starting position. He has since become a crucial player for Famalicão, starting in 12 consecutive matches and demonstrating impressive skills with an average of 3.2 saves per game and a goals conceded rate of 1.0 per game. His performance has drawn attention, earning him a nomination as one of the best goalkeepers in Liga Portugal for November.
Impressive Statistics Zlobin has recorded five clean sheets, trailing only a few top goalkeepers in the league. His contributions have helped Famalicão maintain a strong defensive record, conceding the joint-fewest goals outside of the Big Three teams in Portugal. With his rising form, Zlobin could soon be in contention for a spot on the Russian national team.
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