Matvey Safonov’s career changed dramatically last summer. After completing his studies in Krasnodar, the 25-year-old Russian goalkeeper changed dimension by joining Paris Saint-Germain in exchange for €20 million. An amount that surprised more than one. Just like the choice of PSG to look for an unknown double in Gianluigi Donnarumma in a country in cold weather with a good part of the whole world, even if Safonov had already rubbed shoulders with the Champions League with his former club during the season 2020/2021. The Russian goalkeeper had even set foot on French soil since during this C1 campaign, he faced Stade Rennais twice (1-1 draw in France, 1-0 victory in Russia).
Arriving in France, Safonov logically aroused curiosity. Very quickly, the Russian was talked about after notable media outings. “I think they (PSG, editor’s note) follow the Russian championship. We had a very great season with Krasnodar, we were first at the break. So it must have mattered to them I imagine.», He declared to explain PSG’s choice to look for a Russian, before letting go of his four truths about his supposed role as Donnarumma’s understudy. “No one ever told me I was number two. I come to Paris to fight. I want to play football. Even if they had told me I was number two, I wouldn’t have listened to them. It’s up to me to give the best of myself. I don’t see myself as a number two. I don’t want to be a replacement. If they put me as number two, it won’t be easy for number one… I’m going to fight with him constantly. I have never lost a competition. I have always been the number one goalkeeper.»
A psychological examination was requested for Safonov
Since then, Safonov has not really succeeded in dislodging Donnarumma from the status of PSG’s starting goalkeeper. But behind the scenes, the Russian must fight two battles: his duel with his Italian teammate and the trial against his ex-wife Anastasia Kazachek, from whom he has been separated since 2021. As a reminder, he and his ex-wife have an elderly daughter three-year-old Maya, and Kazachek, who has custody of the child, claimed more than €600,000 in alimony. From, Sovsport recalls that a Moscow court ordered the PSG player to pay 25% of his salary as alimony and the latter does not have the right to see his daughter without the presence of her mother. Determined not to let this happen, the former Krasnodar goalkeeper has filed no less than ten lawsuits in 2024 against his ex. Which provoked an immediate reaction from Anastasia Kazachek… who requested that a psychological examination of Safonov be carried out.
“Baza (a Russian media) wrote that I had requested a psychological expertise for Safonov because of the two goals conceded (against Monaco, editor’s note), but that is a lie. There is no causal relationship between the goals scored and my request for a psychological examination of Safonov. The reason for my request for a psychological examination for Safonov was the fact that he is making up statements to have the slightest reason to go to court. Ultimately, Safonov lost all seven of his cases in 2024, but three more of his claims are still pending in Nikulinsky’s court. Ten potential trials in 2024 are why I assumed Safonov was suffering from litigation syndrome. And the fact that his words were at odds with his actions and his self-esteem issues led me to think he needed psychological help», she explained on December 21 to RIA Novosti Sportjust before the 32nd final of the Coupe de France Lens-PSG, in comments relayed by the 10 Sports.
Faced with these attacks, Matvey Safonov was recently defended by his lawyer, Andrei Kryuchkov. In an interview given to Match TVthe representative of Le Parisien took stock. “We understand that the harsh and unfounded statements of Anastasia and her representatives contribute to the formation of a negative assessment of Matvey’s actions. But with all this, Matvey, being, in my opinion, a very decent and responsible young man, for his part never violated his obligation to support his daughter and pay alimony. Not wanting to introduce this sensitive subject into public debate, he has never commented on the current situation. Anastasia positions herself in court and on her social networks as a victim, but what is her sacrifice? Neither she nor the child are in any danger. They don’t need anything. The father of the child has fully organized comfortable conditions for the mother and daughter, he donated an apartment (the value of which would be about €577,000) and continues to transfer sums of money every month important for the maintenance of his daughter, which are dozens of times higher than the amounts established by the State for the same objectives in favor of Russian children”he said, adding that Safonov’s ex-wife demanded XXL alimony even though she was in a very comfortable financial situation.
Media releases just before PSG matches?
“We have no other options to resolve the conflict caused by Anastasia. All processes were initiated solely with the aim of protecting Matvey’s rights from unfounded attacks by his ex-wife. None of the lawsuits contradict the interests of the child and are not aimed at depriving the child of material benefits, including a free apartment. In reality, Anastasia’s true interests are far from providing material support to her daughter. The real goal in this case is a woman’s revenge. It will be a surprise for many to learn that the material and financial capabilities of Anastasia’s family are in no way inferior to the financial capabilities of Matvey, and perhaps even exceed them several times. She does not hide it, since in one of the trials she stated that she does not spend all the alimony received from Matvey on the child, but accumulates it on a separate account »he explained, before discussing the aspect of caring for little Maya.
“Matvey saw the child freely until he filed for divorce. After that, Anastasia limited all meetings with the child, and then stopped altogether. I stopped making contact. But an interesting fact: as soon as Matvey left for work in Paris, Anastasia suddenly began to take a different position, saying: “I don’t create obstacles, let him come, I don’t mind, I will bring l ‘child of his own’. In September, there was a story that Anastasia gave the green light for their daughter to meet her grandmother (Matvey’s mother). And do you know how it happened? For 20 minutes, according to the rules, the child could not be touched, kissed, hugged or filmed. You just had to look at it and walk near it. The entire meeting took place in the company of Anastasia, her father, her sister and her lawyer (under escort). At the end of the meeting, Anastasia took a photo with the child in her arms next to Matvey’s mother and posted it online with a comment that made sense: “we don’t create obstacles, the grandmother and her granddaughter are out for a walk.” Do you think this is enough? ». Finally, Kryuchkov assured that his client’s ex-wife chose to make her media outings just before PSG matches. “My personal opinion is that such a coincidence cannot exist. This is an obvious attempt to put pressure on Matvey. » No one knows how this whole legal battle will end, but Matvey Safonov is far from being in ideal conditions to immerse himself 100% in his new Parisian life.
