Aleksandr Vladimirovich Mostovoi (Russian: Алекса́ндр Влади́мирович Мостово́й [ɐlʲɪkˈsandr vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ məstɐˈvoj]; born 22 August 1968) is a Russian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

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Aleksandr Mostovoi

Mostovoi in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Aleksandr Vladimirovich Mostovoi
Date of birth	(1968-08-22) 22 August 1968 (age 55)
Place of birth	Lomonosov, Soviet Union
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Youth career
	Krasnaya Presnya
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1986	Krasnaya Presnya	19	(7)
1986–1991	Spartak Moscow	106	(34)
1992–1994	Benfica	9	(0)
1993–1994	→ Caen (loan)	15	(3)
1994–1996	Strasbourg	61	(15)
1996–2004	Celta	235	(56)
2005	Alavés	1	(1)
Total		446	(116)
International career
1990–1991	USSR	13	(3)
1992	CIS	2	(0)
1992–2004	Russia	50	(10)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Soviet Union UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 1990
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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Known as O Zar de Balaídos ("The Tsar of Balaídos") from his lengthy spell at Celta de Vigo, he was often referred to as a 'genius playmaker' during his time there, in addition to a volatile temperament.^[1][2] He also played professionally in his own country, Portugal and France.

Mostovoi earned 50 caps for Russia in a 12-year international career, being chosen for two World Cups and as many European Championships. He previously represented the Soviet Union and the CIS.

Mostovoi played for the Soviet national team, the CIS and Russia internationally. In another temper tantrum, he was sent home by team manager Georgi Yartsev during the latter's trip to UEFA Euro 2004, after questioning his methods.^[6] He played in the Euro 1996 and the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was also picked for the 2002 World Cup, but did not play in the latter tournament due to injury.^[7]

Mostovoi's exclusion from Euro 2004's national squad happened after the 0–1 group stage loss to Spain. Supposedly, the player talked with the media after the match and gave an interview saying that Yartsev was not a good coach and did not understand anything. This was later proven false, after Mostovoi gave another interview and explained he merely said that Yartsev overworked the players during practice, so they didn't have the necessary energy to play well in matches.^[8] All in all, group morale dropped after the incident, and Russia lost the second game to hosts Portugal.

In 2009, Mostovoi was part of the Russia squad that won the Legends Cup.

After retiring as a player, in 2005 Mostovoi was persuaded by the current at that time Russian Tennis Federation's president Shamil Tarpishchev to play Beach soccer for the Russian national beach soccer team.^[9]

Mostovoi has repeatedly stated his desire and willingness to lead a football club as a manager. However, Mostovoi does not have the necessary UEFA coaching licences, which he does not want to obtain. Since 2011, he has expressed various versions of this decision: from doubts about obtaining new knowledge in coaching courses to corrupt schemes to obtain this licence by other specialists.^[10][11]

Mostovoi graduated from college as an electrician, and later joined a sports academy in Moscow, which provided coaching to young players with a university education.^{[citation needed]}

After losing the 2001 Copa del Rey Final, a group of Celta supporters raised four million pesetas to commission a statue of Mostovoi. The player approved and Maxín Picallo was chosen as the sculptor, but the project was never finished; he believed that his dip in form in 2003 affected enthusiasm in the endeavour.^[12]

He married Stéphanie in Strasbourg during his time playing in the city.^[13] His son of the same name, known by the hypocorism Sacha, trialled with S.L. Benfica B in 2016.^[14]