Euro 2020 – who is Russia’s captain, Artem Dzyuba?

Artem Dzyuba
(Image credit: PA)

Artem Dzyuba will be the Russia captain at Euro 2020, which begins in Rome on June 11.

The Zenit St Petersburg striker has 29 goals in 50 caps for his country since making his debut against in a friendly against Greece in November 2011.

He was one of the stars of their surprise run to the World Cup quarter-finals on home soil, scoring against Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Spain.

Dzyuba’s international career has blossomed since then, with Stanislav Cherchesov naming him as the squad’s new captain when Igor Akinfeev retired after the tournament.

The tall and powerful target man scored nine goals in 10 games as Russia qualified for the Euros, including four in a 9-0 thrashing of San Marino.

He also got a brace in a 4-0 win over Scotland at the Luzhniki Stadium, which helped secure second place in their group behind Belgium.

In November, Dzyuba was dropped from the Russia squad after a video of him masturbating went viral, but he was recalled for the start of the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

The 32-year-old retains the captaincy and showed his worth to the team with goals against Malta and Slovenia.

His form at club level has been excellent too, with 20 goals in 27 games, the best return of his career, as Zenit won the Russian Premier League title, finishing eight points ahead of Spartak Moscow.

Dzyuba is one of six Zenit players to make Russia’s provisional 29-man squad for the Euros, alongside the former Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov, who turns 38 this year.

Russia have been drawn in Group B alongside Belgium, Denmark and Finland, and will fancy their chances of making it through.

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.

Read more
Thomas Tuchel
England World Cup qualifiers squad: Thomas Tuchel's full team
England Women Euro 2025 squad
England Women Euro 2025 squad: Sarina Wiegman's full team
Hummel Denmark shirt
Denmark Women Euro 2025 squad: Andrée Jeglertz' full squad
Red Flames players pictured at the start of a soccer game between Belgium's national team the Red Flames and Spain, in Valencia, Spain Friday 21 February 2025, on the first matchday in group A3 of the 2024-25 Women's Nations League Competition.
Belgium Women Euro 2025 squad: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's full team
Thomas Tuchel
'I’d probably pick Cole Palmer alongside Bellingham and Rice in there at the moment. For me, Declan Rice is good enough to play that central midfield role on his own' Thomas Tuchel advised to DROP Manchester City star by England legend
Hugo Lloris lifts the World Cup trophy as France celebrate their win over Croatia in the final in Moscow in july 2018.
Didier Deschamps announces France exit, with World Cup 2026 on the horizon
Latest in
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Latest in Features
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.
Who are the contenders for the Ballon d'Or Féminin?
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Lamine Yamal and Gavi during the LaLiga match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 09, 2025 in Seville, Spain.
Watch Barcelona vs Osasuna: Live streams, TV coverage for La Liga clash