Fedor Kisljak's main goal is to move to Europe.
The footballing world is a perpetual rumor mill, but when the whispers connect a player like CSKA Moscow's Fedor Kisljak to a tactician of Stefano Pioli's calibre at Fiorentina, it’s more than just noise—it’s a testament to a rising trajectory. In a candid, wide-ranging interview with Nobel Arustamyan, Kisljak didn't just acknowledge the interest; he embraced it as fuel, a tangible return on the relentless work he's poured into his craft.'This is, undoubtedly, pleasant, honestly,' he admitted, brushing aside the notion that such attention could lead to complacency. For him, it’s the opposite: a motivational spark, a signal that his performances are resonating beyond the Russian Premier League.This mindset is the hallmark of a modern footballer with ambition etched into his very core. He was unequivocal about his ultimate objective, a goal that has guided him since childhood: 'My goal is to play in one of the best teams in Europe and participate in European cups.' This isn't a vague aspiration; it's a targeted mission statement. The conversation inevitably turned to the summer's cacophony surrounding José Mourinho and Fenerbahçe, a saga Kisljak deftly deconstructed.He dismissed much of the reporting as 'not very correct information,' characterizing the narrative of Mourinho personally demanding his signature as little more than a 'beautiful headline. ' While he conceded there might have been some interest from the Turkish giants, the deal foundered on the familiar rocks of transfer economics—the asking price from CSKA was simply not met.This pragmatic view extends to the eye-popping figures often bandied about in the press, such as the €35 million valuation. Kisljak sees this with a player’s dual perspective: on one hand, it’s a flattering measure of his worth to his current club; on the other, a strategic, almost symbolic number designed to 'ward off unnecessary clubs.' He believes that when a serious, 'good club' arrives with a 'good offer for CSKA,' the negotiations will be grounded in a far more 'adequate' reality, not the fantasy land of €60 million demands. This clear-eyed understanding of the market’s mechanics reveals a footballer who is as much a student of the business as he is a practitioner of the game.The lucrative siren call of Saudi Arabia, specifically from Al-Qadisiya with a reported €30 million offer, was also addressed. Kisljak’s response was neither a categorical rejection nor a gleeful anticipation.He professed uncertainty about how far the talks actually progressed, but his philosophy on such offers is revealingly open-minded. 'I am not such [a person] as to not consider it,' he stated, refusing to rule out any destination outright.'You cannot swear like that, you don’t know what will happen in life. ' This pragmatic flexibility, however, exists within the rigid framework of a childhood dream.He draws a stark contrast between the allure of petrodollars and the magnetic pull of the Champions League anthem, a sound that has scored his ambitions since he was a boy. 'You want to play there, and you always want to play in the very best clubs—Barcelona,' he declared, his voice echoing the dreams of millions of aspiring footballers.It is here that Kisljak’s ambition transcends the ordinary. He isn’t just aiming for a move; he’s aiming for immortality.'I want to get into the nominees for the Ballon d'Or,' he asserted, acknowledging that some might dismiss this as nonsense. But for him, it’s a necessary, audacious target.He even corrected the interviewer with a laugh, clarifying that his real goal is to win it. This is the level of self-belief required to scale the summit of world football.He pays homage to CSKA, acknowledging that a lifelong career there would still represent a 'top-level' achievement, especially if he performs well consistently. Yet, he draws a crucial distinction between the club's current state and its glorious past.He referenced CSKA’s 2005 UEFA Cup triumph, noting that when a team is competitively fighting in European finals, the question of leaving for a top-six side in Italy becomes less pressing. But the present reality, where the domestic Russian Cup and league are the sole stages, creates an undeniable pull toward the brighter lights of Europe.'The most important goal, which stands above all others, is, undoubtedly, to leave for Europe,' he stated, with a finality that leaves no room for misinterpretation. He optimistically believes that CSKA, recognizing the mutual benefit of such a high-profile transfer, would facilitate his departure when the right offer arrives. In Fedor Kisljak, we see not just a talented midfielder, but a footballer with the rare combination of grounded pragmatism and stellar ambition—a player meticulously constructing his path from Moscow to the grandest cathedrals of European football.
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