An Exclusive Interview with RPL Legend & Sochi Midfielder Cristhian Noboa

When a certain diminutive and mild-mannered Ecuadorian arrived in Kazan in 2007, few would have predicted that thirteen years and five different club’s later, he would be the current second-highest goalscorer in the RPL.

However, not only did Cristhian Noboa adjust to life in Russia perfectly, he thrived both on and off the pitch. It is fair to say that now, aged 35, he is a legend in the modern era. Cristhian recently scored his 50th RPL goal, and currently hold’s the record for the most number of matches played in the RPL by any player who is not from Russia or a former member state of the USSR.

From winning the league three times, and the Russian Super Cup once, to defeating Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Bayern at the Allianz Arena, he has played for a cavalcade of historic names in the game, and still is going strong. RFN sat down with Cristhian and Sochi’s Press Officer Alex Grudnev to discuss his career in Russia; covering all topics from Kurban Berdyev & Roberto Mancini, to these famous victories, his personal life in Russia and the current state of play down at Sochi.

Q: What is your greatest memory in Russian football?

A: I think there are two such moments. One was my time at Rostov, and the other was my time at Rubin Kazan; being champions with Rubin, coming second with Rostov. Otherwise, if you talk about life in Russia, everything has been great. Visiting every city; experiencing different cultures, different speakers, different people, I like it all so much.

Q: Which was better, beating Barcelona with Rubin or beating Bayern with Rostov?

A: It’s impossible to say. These were two different teams, in different time periods – they are different moments with different players. Although at the time Barcelona was the best team in Europe, and Bayern too, was the best team in Europe (laughs). It’s difficult to say which one is better, the two are the same. They were very important and these victories will go down in history, we’ll always remember the two games.

Q: Who’s the best player you have ever played with or against?

A: I think the best player I’ve played against is Xavi, Xavi Hernandez from Barcelona. It was amazing how he played, how he moved, how he touched the ball. I tried catching him so many times, but it was impossible. Of course, Messi and Ronaldo are great, but in my position as me, I love guys like him who can think fast, create their own space and have the time to move and create. It was very nice to play against him.

Q: What do you see as the biggest differences in RPL since you first moved to Rubin in 2007?

A: The difference between when I first came and now is that the velocity is the same, the speed is similar but we have more technical players now, more quality in the league. This is the big difference. Before it was difficult because there was always fighting on the pitch, it was very physical, but now there is more quality.

Q: You currently hold the record for the most number of matches played in the RPL by any player who is not from Russia or a former member state of the USSR, what about Russia appeals to you to have spent so long in the nation?

A: I didn’t know of the record, I don’t know how many games I’ve played in Russia to be honest. Still, I enjoy every game and love every time I step on the pitch. For me, Russia is my second home, and that’s the truth. I feel very good playing here, very nice. The people are very warm, the clubs, the agents, the presidents of the clubs. That’s why I’ve never moved, I feel like at home here.

Q: You’ve played all over Russia under five different clubs. What were the differences you found at all of these clubs? Do you have a preference for any one out of them all?

A: No I don’t have any preferences between the clubs. I had a wonderful time at all five clubs, Rubin, Dynamo, Rostov, Zenit, and now Sochi. Playing with different coaches, players, living in different cities, it’s been an unbelievable experience, a super time. It’s not possible to find differences or comparisons, or say which one was better or worse. I’ve been honoured to meet so many nice people, starting from the medical staff, to the people that clean the boots and all the way up to the president. Everybody helped me, everybody enjoyed the time with me, laughed with me, I really enjoyed all these times.

Q: How important has Kurban Berdyev been to you, having been managed by him three times in your career? What is it like to work with him?

A: Berdyev was for me, like a father, and the best coach I’ve had in my career. He made me a complete player. Before him, it was only attacking with no defence, no positioning, no tactics, no nothing. With him, I learned to make my game complete. He made me work a lot on defence, on my tactics, made me understand a lot about the game. He made me the best player I can possibly be.

With him, it was also stressful because he wanted to win every game, even the friendlies & training matches. He always presses you and pushes you to the maximum in training. Of course, it’s good, it kills you but you need it. In competitions like this, you always need someone to help you be the best you can be, even in training. You need someone to scream at you and push you to the best even in training.

Q: Was your early time in Russia difficult, trying to adapt to a new culture and moving across the world?

A: The first six months were very difficult due to the weather, the culture and even the language. I didn’t speak Russian at all, which meant that I couldn’t go to the shop to buy some stuff for me, or even fill my car with petrol. It was so difficult to understand everybody, to be part of the team, to try help the team play because my game was so slow, and I needed to think faster because in Russia it was much faster than in Ecuador. Still, the team and the coaches helped me, and it was great feeling this help. It was so nice to feel this and then when I adapted I could show them I could play in Russia, help the team, and everyone was happy with me.

Q: In 2011, in a game against Krasnodar, you became somewhat infamous for becoming the first-ever player to fail to score two penalties in the same game, do you remember the incident much, and did this affect your confidence at all?

A: Yeah I remember this game! I think I had scored about 7-8 penalties in a row and when you miss one, you feel like you can’t score at all. After missing the second one, I thought that there was no point in trying again and let (Bibars) Natkho shoot who had the confidence. It’s normal, sometimes you miss, but you never think you can miss two in a game. But football is like this, it gives you opportunities to have a second chance, and look now, I score lots of penalties.

Q: What happened regarding your departure at Zenit?

A: I felt sad when I left Zenit. I felt like I could help the team with my performances but just then I got hit with injury. It was so difficult to come back, as before the injury I had felt like I was in the peak of my career, and could have helped the team a lot. When you’re suffering from injury and recovering, you feel like other players are waiting to take your chance, and that you have to move on. It’s natural, but I don’t regret it at all. I was just sad that I couldn’t help Zenit more.

Q: Do you think you weren’t given a fair chance of prolonged first-team football at Zenit?

A: I don’t feel like this, I got opportunities to play but was unfortunately denied by injuries. I had great relations with Sergei Semak, he was always clear with me and is a great person as well as a great coach. I just felt sad that I couldn’t help the team more, and chose to move on so that other players could get their chance.

Q: The late Konstantin Sarsania approached you to sign for Zenit, what were your experiences with the man?

A: With him, I talked a lot. First, he helped me to go to Dynamo, and then also to Zenit. He was a very good guy, he believed in me a lot. I had opportunities to show him my worth at Dynamo, and a new contract was being discussed, but with different people coming in, things changed. Overall, he was a great person.

Q: What was Roberto Mancini like to play under? We’ve heard from others that he was quite a fiery character while at Zenit?

A: Mancini was difficult you know. This is because the president and sporting director brought me to Zenit, but then the coach came in and wanted his own players. But I never fought with him, I just wanted to show him that I could help the team. When I did start to do that, I was sad because he just took me out of the team without saying anything. He just put his own players in. It was difficult, but that’s why I moved to Rubin in the winter. I didn’t feel good knowing that I could help but the coach didn’t want me. This wasn’t because I was a bad guy or anything, just because he had his preferred players. After he left, I thought that there was an opportunity for me to come back and show my quality, which I did with Semak.

Q: Numerous Spartak fans have asked about that penalty at the end of the opening game of the season for Sochi, what were your thoughts on it all?

A: I’m a player, if the referee says there is a penalty, I must shoot! I can’t argue and say that no, for me this isn’t a penalty. If there is an opportunity to score, I have to take it. I never see if the penalty is deserved or not, or a bad decision, I just do my job and score.

Q: How are you enjoying your time down on the Black Sea with Sochi?

A: I enjoy it a lot, believe me. Here it isn’t like the rest of Russia when it comes to the weather. You have everything here, the sea, snow, plants, everything, it’s very nice.

Christian Noboa with an outrageous goal today. He’s been practicing the old L1 & O for sure.

Love the reaction of Mostovoy (#17) who can’t believe what he’s seen. pic.twitter.com/BH7NwvXG5g
— David Sansun (@RFN_David) September 30, 2019

Q: It seems you’re undergoing quite a resurgence in your goalscoring form, although you have always scored a good amount of goals the return right now is quite staggering, what’s the secret there? Playing in a more advanced role?

A: I score a lot more maybe because I feel more comfortable in a role that is a bit more up the pitch. I try to help the team in that way, looking at opportunities and trying to score. Hence I try to push up a bit, take one step forward, get inside the area, and the team passes the ball to me sometimes, and I shoot well! That’s the only difference now as opposed to before.

Q: How does Vladimir Fedotov compare to some previous managers you have played under?

A: The coach is a very good person. He helps the team a lot, is good at making & changing tactical decisions. It’s not possible to point out differences or compare my other coaches, every trainer is different. He tries to help you a lot, loves tactics, and gives you chances to grow. If you are in attack under him you must be thinking, “no problem”, he enjoys the way we play. Of course, when we lose he’s angry, he screams, shows character, tries to always show he wants to win. I enjoy playing with him.

Q: Your recent goal against Tambov was your 50th in the RPL. You are the 50th player in history to reach this achievement, the 5th South American and the goal came exactly 13 years to the day since your first against Spartak in 2007. How proud are you of this achievement?

A: I didn’t know this was my 50^th goal in the RPL, to be honest (laughs). I’m very happy, proud of it. That’s a lot of goals for someone in my position, a central midfielder. I’ll try to make it 60! Why not, I’ll always to go upwards and enjoy myself.

Q: Were your two sons to Olga born in Russia? Do you aim to stay in the country in the foreseeable future or return home to Ecuador?

A: I don’t know honestly, but yes, my two kids are from Russia. I have one year left on my contract in Russia, and after that, we’ll see. I think I will go back to Ecuador, but you never know. I will think about this when I’m finished with football when I retire. For now, I’m only focussed on playing.

Q: You spent six months of your career at PAOK in Greece, taking a slight detour from Russian football. How was that experience?

A: The experience at PAOK was very nice. I learnt a lot there playing in Europe, without many Russians around. When Rostov called me though, I felt like my place was in Russia, and I just had to return. I needed to come back here. I feel good here, playing in Russia. That’s why I returned. I didn’t feel bad there at all, even if it looks that way. The city was good, the club was fantastic, the fans were amazing but I just feel more comfortable here in Russia, rather than in Greece.

RFN would also like to express our sincerest thanks & regards to Cristhian for his time, and Alex for organising the interview.

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