Profile: Matvey Safonov's rising status at PSG
One To Watch
The Russian goalkeeper has been determined this season to dislodge Giunluigi Donnarumma between the sticks for Paris Saint-Germain.
When Paris Saint-Germain splashed €20 million to secure Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar last summer, they were acquiring more than just a goalkeeper. Born on February 25, 1999, the very same day as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Safonov's stock has been rising in the French capital of late. In the Coupe de France, the Russian was decisive not once but twice in the penalty shootout win over RC Lens. It was a performance which has reignited discussions about who will be Luis Enrique's number one pick in goal over the next coming months.
Safonov’s move to PSG was no impulsive decision. Despite being warned that he would start as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper, Safonov welcomed the challenge. "I’ve never been a number two," he reportedly told Aram Fundukyan, vice-president of his former club Krasnodar. His track record supports this claim: throughout his career, he has consistently risen to claim starting roles, whether for club or country.
"He's a born leader,” added Fundukyan in an interview with L'Équipe. "From the time he was 12 until we reached the Champions League, he was captain of all his teams. He's always been very mature, very wise. I often joke with him: 'You're an old man in a young man's body.
His early days in Paris weren’t without setbacks, including a costly mistake in a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. However, Safonov’s self-belief remains unshaken. For him, it’s not a question of “if” he will succeed, but “when.”
Safonov’s path to professional football was unconventional. Initially excelling in swimming, taekwondo, and basketball, he stumbled into football when Krasnodar’s scouts spotted his athletic frame and sharp reflexes during a school visit. His immediate impact in goal was attributed to his natural instincts—a gift that has stayed with him ever since.
Off the pitch, Safonov’s intellect sets him apart. A mathematics prodigy and avid chess player, he balanced a rigorous football career with a five-year degree in pedagogy, psychology, and communication. His analytical mindset, honed through solving complex problems and competing in chess tournaments, often manifests in his goalkeeping decisions.
As Paris Saint-Germain enter the second half of the season juggling Ligue 1 McDonald's and Champions League football, manager Luis Enrique will be pleased he has two quality goalkeepers at his disposal to fight on all fronts in the new year.
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