Evgeny Staver, the goalkeeper for Rubin Kazan, has made headlines with his recent inclusion in the March roster of the Russian national soccer team, as reported on March 14, 2025. This marks the first time since September 2023 when a player from Rubin Kazan has been called up to represent the national squad.
Staver, who joined Rubin Kazan during the summer of 2024, has established himself as a key player for the club. Since his arrival, he has played 22 matches, conceding 26 goals and maintaining clean sheets in seven of these fixtures. His solid performances have contributed to his valuation as a goalkeeper, currently estimated at 1 million euros, with a contract running until the summer of 2027.
Under the leadership of the national team coach, Staver will participate in two upcoming friendly matches: one against Grenada on March 19, and another against Zambia on March 25, both set to take place in Moscow. The team, which consists of 30 players, will utilize these matches to prepare for future competitive fixtures.
Staver isn’t alone in vying for the coveted goalkeeper position; he faces stiff competition from other notable players including Alexander Maksimenko of Spartak Moscow, Evgeny Latyshonok from Zenit St. Petersburg, and Stanislav Agkatsev representing Krasnodar. Meanwhile, Andrei Lunev from Dynamo Moscow was left out of the squad following the announcement.
The possibility of each goalkeeper playing one half is not being ruled out. This strategy could provide valuable playing time to all the invited goalkeepers, with the upcoming matches serving as a testing ground for the strongest defensive formation.
Despite his notable achievements with his club, Staver has yet to make his debut for the national team. The spotlight is certainly on him, as fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he performs at the international level. Previous calls from the national team have included players like Daniil Kuznetsov, who last played during the September 2023 window, as well as veterans Yuri Dyupin and Ilya Samoshnikov, who were called up back in October 2021 but have since left the Kazan club.
The Russian national team faces the task of performing well together as they prepare for these friendlies, which will not only test their skills but also provide insight on how to shape the team for future competitions. The decision to include Staver is significant; it reflects the national team's commitment to refreshing their lineup by integrating newer faces and offering chances for rising talent to shine.
These matches also represent Rubins’ wider narrative within Russian football, showcasing their pipeline of talent to the national team. Players like Denis Boyarintsev, Roman Sharonov, Sergei Semak, and Fedor Kudryashov have been predecessors who have worn the national colors after coming from Kazan. Staver's inclusion, particularly after Rubin's recent defeat to Ural which saw them eliminated from the Russian Cup—with the match ending 1-0—further emphasizes the important role clubs like Rubin play.
With Staver’s potential debut on the horizon, the anticipation is palpable, and it’s clear to see how much is riding on these matches both for the player and the national team. The time has come for him to step onto the field wearing the national colors, and fans eagerly await this next chapter of his career.