Matvey Safonov’s chances of being recognised as the world’s best goalkeeper could be undermined by anti-Russian sanctions, according to former Cameroon and Russian Premier League head coach Valery Nepomnyashchiy.
Nepomnyashchiy said Safonov would be regarded as an obvious leading contender in normal geopolitical circumstances, following two successive Champions League victories.
The goalkeeper currently plays for PSG, where his future is also the subject of reported uncertainty. Reports published the previous day claimed the club’s coaching staff will decide during the 2026-27 season which member of the Safonov and Lucas Chevalier pairing will leave the squad.
The same reports said PSG are planning to sign Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki before sending him out on loan for a year.
No further details about the proposed recruitment or the identity of the goalkeeper who could depart were provided in the report. However, the situation would mean PSG could have three senior goalkeeping options connected with the first-team squad: Safonov, Chevalier and the incoming Suzuki, at least temporarily.
Nepomnyashchiy’s comments link Safonov’s individual prospects to the wider political restrictions affecting Russian football. His assessment was that the goalkeeper’s performances and the success of his club would normally place him firmly among the leading candidates for the highest individual recognition in his position.
Instead, Nepomnyashchiy believes anti-Russian sanctions may prevent Safonov from being considered for the award, regardless of the significance of winning the Champions League twice in a row.
The report does not state whether PSG have made a final decision on Safonov or Chevalier, nor does it confirm when the club would complete the signing of Suzuki. It says only that the coaching staff are expected to determine which of the two current goalkeepers will leave during the 2026-27 campaign.
Safonov’s position at PSG is therefore presented against two separate issues: his potential exclusion from the global goalkeeping debate and the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future squad plans.
Nepomnyashchiy, who has managed clubs in the Russian Premier League and the Cameroon national team, was the source of the assessment regarding Safonov’s international standing. His view was based on the combination of the goalkeeper’s recent European success and the political circumstances surrounding Russian representatives.
The comments come as attention turns to how PSG will manage its goalkeeping department over the next season. With Suzuki reportedly set to arrive and spend a year on loan, the club’s decision over Safonov and Chevalier remains unresolved.
For now, the report identifies anti-Russian sanctions as the main factor that could prevent Safonov from challenging for the title of the world’s best goalkeeper, while PSG’s plans leave his club future unclear.
