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PFC CSKA Moscow
PFC CSKA Moscow
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Key Information

Professional Football Club CSKA (Russian: Профессиональный футбольный клуб – ЦСКА, derived from the historical name 'Центральный спортивный клуб армии', English: Central Sports Club of the Army), commonly referred to as CSKA Moscow or CSKA Moskva outside of Russia, or simply as CSKA (pronounced [tsɛ ɛs ˈka]), is a Russian professional football club. It is based in Moscow, playing its home matches at the 30,000-capacity VEB Arena. It plays in red and blue colours, with various plain and striped patterns having been used.

Founded in 1911, CSKA is one of the oldest football clubs in Russia and it had its most successful period after World War II with five titles in six seasons. It won a total of 7 Soviet Top League championships and 5 Soviet Cups, including the double in the last season in 1991. The club has also won 6 Russian Premier League titles as well as 8 Russian Cups.

CSKA Moscow became the first club in Russia to win one of the European cup competitions, the UEFA Cup, after defeating Sporting CP in the final in Lisbon in 2005.

CSKA was the official team of the Soviet Army during the communist era. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union it has become privately owned. In 2012, the Ministry of Defence sold all of its shares (24,94%) to Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd,[3][a] a conglomerate owning 100% of the club since then. On 13 December 2019, state-owned development corporation VEB.RF announced they will take control of over 75% of club shares that were used as collateral by previous owners for the VEB Arena financing.[11] Russian businessman Roman Abramovich's Sibneft corporation was a leading sponsor of the club from 2004 to 2006.

History

[edit]

Names

[edit]

CSKA Moscow was founded in 1911 and, like many clubs in the former Soviet Union, has seen a number of name changes. From 1928 to 1950 the association was called CDKA Moscow (ЦДКА Москва). In 1951 its name was changed to CDSA Moscow (ЦДСА Москва). In 1957 the sports society was renamed again into CSK MO Moscow (ЦСК МО Москва). The current name of club's football department, PFC CSKA Moscow (ПФК ЦСКА Москва) has been used since 1994.[citation needed]

  • 1911–22: Amateur Society of Skiing Sports (OLLS Moscow) (Russian: Общество Любителей Лыжного Спорта)
  • 1923: Experimental & Demonstrational Playground of Military Education Association (OPPV) (Russian: Опытно-Показательная Площадка Всеобуча)
  • 1924–27: Experimental & Demonstrational Playground of Military Administration (OPPV) (Russian: Опытно-Показательная Площадка Военведа)
  • 1928–50: Sports Club of Central House of the Red Army (CDKA) (Russian: Спортивный Клуб Центрального Дома Красной Армии)
  • 1951–56: Sports Club of Central House of the Soviet Army (CDSA) (Russian: Спортивный Клуб Центрального Дома Советской Армии)
  • 1957–59: Central Sports Club of the Ministry of Defense (CSK MO) (Russian: Центральный Спортивный Клуб Министерства Обороны)
  • 1960–: Central Sports Club of Army (CSKA) (Russian: Центральный Спортивный Клуб Армии)

Foundation and first successes

[edit]

The history of CSKA football club began in 1911, when a football section was organized in the Amateur Society of Skiing Sports (OLLS).

OPPV emblem

After the 1917 season, part of the reserve OLLS team moved to the first. In 1921, the champion of the autumn Moscow championship (winner of Fulda Cup) was determined in the final match, in which teams OLLS and KFS took part. The KFS team won 6:0. In the 1922 season, OLLS players won the spring Moscow championship and took second place in the fall championship.[12] In the same year, OLLS won KFS-Kolomyagi Cup, in the final of which, according to the regulations, the winners of the first and second leagues of the Moscow championship met, and Tosmen Cup, where the champions of Moscow and Petrograd met.[12]

Soviet period

[edit]

Until 1970: Peaks and troughs

[edit]

The club had its most successful period immediately after the end of the Second World War. At this time, one of the best players in its history and the best scorer in the history of the team, Grigory Fedotov, played for the club. The army men were runners-up in the first edition of the resumed Vysschaya Liga in 1945.

CDKA emblem

Three consecutive championship titles followed for the first time in league history, including club's first double in 1948. This year the army team won their second USSR Cup. In the semifinals, as a result of a replay, CDKA snatched victory from Dynamo Moscow, and in the final they defeated the current cup holders, Spartak. By that time the main army team became dubbed as the "Team of Lieutenants" (Russian: «Команда Лейтенантов»). After finishing second in 1949, in 1950, the army team became champions again, and in 1951, playing under the new name CDSA (Central House of the Soviet Army), they won a double again, winning both the championship and the cup. The history of the football department from this time is closely linked to the ice hockey department of the club, HC CSKA Moscow, because the leading players like Vsevolod Bobrov played both sports in parallel.

Boris Arkadyev, CDKA coach

After successful times Olympic Games 1952 in Helsinki marked the beginning of the decline of CDSA Moscow. The club's players formed the core of the national team, which, after tough negotiations, joined FIFA shortly before the Olympic football tournament. Boris Arkadiev became the coach of both the national team and the army club. The first meeting between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in football is still amongst the most famous matches. On the political level, the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and the Yugoslav leader Josip Tito split in 1948, which resulted in Yugoslavia being excluded from the Communist Information Bureau. Before the match, both Tito and Stalin sent telegrams to their national teams, which showed just how important it was for the two head of states. Yugoslavia led 5–1, but a Soviet comeback in the last 15 minutes resulted in a 5–5 draw. The match was replayed, Yugoslavia winning 3–1. The defeat to the archrivals hit Soviet football hard, especially CDSA and its players. After just three games played in the season, CDSA was forced to withdraw from the league and later disbanded. Furthermore, Boris Arkadiev was stripped of his Merited Master of Sports of the USSR title.[13] For intelligence chief Lavrentiy Beria, the Olympic elimination was the perfect opportunity to eliminate the successful city rival. As head of the KGB, he was also honorary president of Dynamo Moscow - the main rival of CDSA.[citation needed]

Albert Shesternyov, one of the best Soviet players and CDSA captain

After two seasons of oblivion and after Stalin's death in the spring of 1953 CDSA Moscow was re-established in 1954 on the initiative of then Soviet Defense Minister Nikolai Bulganin. Shortly thereafter, the team won the Soviet Cup in 1955, defeating Dynamo Moscow in the final with the legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin being sent off. The fans had to wait 15 years for the next trophy. In 1970 season, CSKA became Soviet champions for the sixth time, gaining the same number of points with Dynamo. The first gold match held on December 5, 1970 in Tashkent, Uzbek SSR ended without goals. The next day CSKA won the second match against Dynamo 4:3 after 1:3 deficit. By winning the championship, CSKA qualified for the first round of the European Cup. CSKA defeated Turkish club Galatasaray in the first round, but lost to Belgian champion Standard Liège in the second round and was eliminated from the tournament.[citation needed]

1971 to 1991: Two decades drought

[edit]

With only 19 points out of a possible 68 in the 1984 season, the club had to endure the first ever relegation to the second division, where CSKA spent two seasons. After returning to the Higher league, the club did not manage to stay in it for a long time, and in the 1987 season, a second relegation followed. Nevertheless CSKA was able to fight its way back after two seasons in the First League, immediately secured the runner-up and even won the last edition of the football championship of the Soviet Union in the 1991 season. Having also won the Soviet cup, the club thus secured the last golden double in the history of the USSR football. With the championship title from the 1991 season, CSKA Moscow qualified for the first round of the 1992–93 UEFA Champions League, where they defeated the Icelandic team Víkingur Reykjavík. In the second round the Spanish top club Barcelona with coach Johan Cruyff was defeated. The opponents in Group A were the current Champions League winners Olympique Marseille, Glasgow Rangers and Club Brugge. CSKA was unable to build on the results of the matches with Barcelona, becoming the fourth in the group with two draws and four defeats, and was eliminated from the tournament.[citation needed]

Modern period

[edit]

1992 to 2004: Back to the top

[edit]

CSKA Moscow was one of the founding members of the newly formed Russian Top Division after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the first six seasons, the team occupied the places in the middle of the table. In the 1998 season, the club was runner-up and in the next season finished third. In the following two seasons, CSKA Moscow again occupied places in the middle of the table. In the 2002 season, the team trained by Valery Gazzaev took second place again, winning the Russian Cup. In 2003, the team won its first championship in the history of the Russian Premier League. After that, the head coach Valery Gassayev was sacked surprisingly and the Portuguese coach Artur Jorge was signed as his successor. Under the new coach, the team could not build on the performances from the previous season. After falling to fifth place in July 2004, Arthur Jorge was sacked after only eight months at the helm of the club. After the return of Valery Gassaev, CSKA was able to save the season and become vice-champion.[citation needed]

2005 to 2010: Golden years

[edit]

In the 2004 season, after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, the team finished third at the group stage and therefore took part in the UEFA Cup play-off. The UEFA Cup for CSKA began with a home match against Portugal's Benfica in the round of 32, which ended in a 2-0 victory for CSKA, in the away match CSKA drew 1-1. The next rival of CSKA was the Serbian club Partizan, the away match in Belgrade ended with a score of 1-1, and the home match in Krasnodar - 2-0 in favor of the red-blue team. In the next round, the army team defeated the French side Auxerre 4-0. Despite the 2-0 away defeat, CSKA was able to continue playing in the UEFA Cup. In the semifinals, CSKA's opponent was the Italian side Parma, after beating which (0-0, 3-0), the Muscovites reached the final.

Valery Gazzaev, coach during the golden era of the club

Then, on May 18, 2005, the team became the first Russian team ever to win a European competition, the 2004-05 UEFA Cup at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, winning Sporting 3-1. The team failed to consolidate their success, losing the UEFA Super Cup to English club Liverpool on 26 August 2005 at Stade Louis II, in Monaco. Nevertheless, this year, CSKA become the first Russian club to complete a treble after winning the second Russian championship title and the Russian Cup.[citation needed]

The team had qualified for the third qualifying round of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League by winning the championship in 2005 and progressed to the group stage over MFK Ružomberok. At the group stage, CSKA finished in third place and qualified for the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup, but was eliminated there against the Israeli representative Maccabi Haifa. In the 2006 season, CSKA won domestic treble, as the team won all three national titles: the Premier League, the Russian Cup and the Russian Super Cup.[citation needed]

As Russian champions, CSKA qualified for the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. At the group stage, CSKA finished fourth and last with just one draw out of five defeats and was eliminated. In the Premier League, CSKA occupied the third place, but won the Russian Super Cup.

CSKA players celebrating their victory in the 2008 Russian Cup

In the first half of the 2008 season, CSKA played below expectations and even finished in seventh place at the break of the season. After the European Championship, Valery Gazzaev, who announced his retirement at the end of the season, switched the game tactics to four defenders and let the young Alan Dzagoev, who was considered one of the greatest talents in Russian football, show himself. As a result, CSKA ended its negative series and from then on showed effective football. But it was no longer enough to win the championship, and CSKA took the runner-up behind Rubin Kazan. In the 2008-09 UEFA Cup, CSKA was the only team to achieve twelve points from four group matches. Then the team advanced to the round of 16, where they were defeated by the eventual UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine after a 1-0 home win and subsequent 0-2 away defeat. The team also won the Russian Cup for the fourth time.[14]

Vágner Love, club's legend

In January 2009, the Brazilian Zico took over the position of head coach at CSKA. After the half of the 2009 season, the club was only fourth. At the end of the 2009 season, fifth place was just enough for participation in the 2010-11 UEFA Europa League. As a result, the Brazilian head coach was dismissed in September 2009. In the same month, the Spaniard Juande Ramos was signed as his successor, but only lasted 47 days before being released on October 26 and replaced by Leonid Slutsky. The club won the Russian Supercup for the fourth time and became the Russian Cup winner for the fifth time. The team had also qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time after defeating Sevilla FC 3–2 on aggregate. They were later eliminated from competition by the eventual winners Inter Milan, losing by 1–0 scorelines in both Milan and Moscow.[citation needed]

Slutsky era

[edit]

Leonid Slutsky was introduced as the new head coach in October 2009. In the 2010 Russian Premier League season, the team was runner-up. In the Russian Cup, the team was eliminated in the round of 32 against the second division Ural Ekaterinburg. In the Europa League, CSKA made it to the round of 16, where the team lost to the eventual winners Porto after two defeats (0-1 and 1-2).[citation needed]

Leonid Slutsky

Finishing as the runners-up in the previous season, the club qualified for the group stage of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League. The opponents in Group B were Inter Milan, Trabzonspor and Lille. On 7 December 2011, CSKA qualified for the knockout phase after winning crucial 3 points by defeating Inter Milan with scoreline 1–2 in Milan and finishing as the runners-up in the group behind the Milanese. In the round of 16 the team met Spanish top club Real Madrid, to which CSKA lost 2-5 on aggregate. In the 2011–12 Russian championship, CSKA could only reach third place despite finishing second after the first phase of the season. By the 100th anniversary of the club, CSKA could not leave its fans without a trophy and won its sixth Russian Cup, beating Alania Vladikavkaz in the final 2-1 on May 22, 2011.[citation needed]

In the 2012–13 season, CSKA took part in the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, where they were eliminated against Swedish side AIK after 1-0 in Moscow and 0-2 in Stockholm. At the end of the season, however, CSKA were crowned the champions of Russia. It was the eleventh championship title in club history. The team won the Russian Cup and thus achieving a double.[citation needed]

As Russian champions CSKA took part in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League. The club was eliminated from the competition after the group stage against Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Viktoria Plzeň with only one win and five defeats resulting in the fourth place. In the domestic League, however, the club celebrated the second championship title in a row after Zoran Tošić scored the decisive goal against Lokomotiv Moscow on the last Matchday of the season for the tenth victory in the league in a row.

CSKA Moscow team in 2014 against Manchester City at a UEFA Champions League match

In the 2015–16 season, CSKA advanced to the Champions League group stage over Sparta Prague and Sporting. With PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Wolfsburg, CSKA completed Group B of the competition, but wasn't able to advance to the round of 16. In the Premier League, the club started with six consecutive wins, with the first four games being won without conceding a single goal. At the end of the season, the army club finished two points ahead of the second-placed Rostov and won its sixth Russian title (and 13th overall). [citation needed]

As a result, CSKA took part in the group stage of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. Opponents in Group E were Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur. On 6 October 2016, during the group stage, Finland announced that Roman Eremenko had been handed a 30-day ban from football by UEFA,[15] with UEFA announcing on 18 November 2016, that Eremenko had been handed a two-year ban from football due to testing positive for cocaine.[16] Following the ban of one of the team leaders CSKA couldn't win a single game and was therefore eliminated from the tournament. After the last group game against Tottenham and after a negative run in the league, longtime head coach Leonid Slutsky left the club at his own request.[17]

On 12 December, Viktor Goncharenko was announced as the club's new manager, signing a two-year contract.[18]

Under Goncharenko

[edit]

As CSKA finished second in the 2016–17 Premier League, they started their way in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League from the third qualifying round, defeating AEK Athens there and then Young Boys in the play-off round. In Group A, the army club met Benfica, Manchester United and Basel and finished in third place. As a result, CSKA continued to play in the Europa League and advanced to the quarter-finals, losing to Arsenal.

Viktor Goncharenko

On 21 July 2018, Goncharenko extended his contract until the end of the 2019/20 season.[19] During the summer of 2018 CSKA lost many of its leaders: Aleksei and Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich finished their careers as professional players; Alexandr Golovin was bought by AS Monaco; Pontus Wernbloom became a PAOK player and Bibras Natcho went to Olympiacos. However, at the start of that season CSKA showed good results, being at the top-three in Russian champions table and beating Real Madrid in Champions League group stage in both home and away matches (1–0 in Moscow and 3–0 in Madrid).[citation needed]

On 13 December 2019, state-owned development corporation VEB.RF announced they will take control of over 75% of club shares that were used as collateral by previous owners for the VEB Arena financing.[11]

On 22 March 2021, Viktor Goncharenko left his role as head coach of CSKA Moscow by mutual consent.[20]

Under Olić, Berezutski and Fedotov

[edit]

On 23 March 2021, CSKA appointed their former striker Ivica Olić as their new head coach.[21] After just nine games, culminating in a 6th place finish in the 2020–21 Russian Premier League, missing the European competitions for the first time in 20 years, Olić left CSKA by mutual consent on 15 June 2021 with Aleksei Berezutski being placed in temporary charge.[22] On 19 July 2021, Berezutski was confirmed as CSKA's new permanent head coach.[23]

In February 2022, CSKA were hit by sanctions from the United States Department of the Treasury as a consequence of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. CSKA is owned by Russian state-controlled VEB.RF and was sanctioned as its asset.[24][25] In addition, the European Club Association suspended the team.[26] CSKA won season-best 6 consecutive league games (last two before the winter break and the first four after), Berezutski was selected league's coach of the month for March 2022[27] and the club moved up to the 3rd position in the standings within 6 points of league-leading Zenit Saint Petersburg.[28] However, CSKA won only twice in the remaining 8 games of the league season and finished in 5th place. On 15 June 2022, Berezutski left his role as head coach after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement, with Vladimir Fedotov being appointed as the clubs new head coach the same day.[29][30] Fedotov led CSKA to the 2nd place in the 2022–23 Russian Premier League. CSKA also won the 2022–23 Russian Cup.[31]

Under Nikolić

[edit]

Marko Nikolić was appointed CSKA manager before the 2024–25 season.[32] In the first season under Nikolić, CSKA finished third in the Russian Premier League and won the 2024–25 Russian Cup.[33]

Stadium

[edit]
VEB Arena

CSKA had its own stadium called "Light-Athletic Football Complex CSKA" and abbreviated as LFK CSKA. Its capacity is very small for a club of its stature; no more than 4,600 spectators.[citation needed]

Between 1961 and 2000, CSKA played their home games at the Grigory Fedotov Stadium. In 2007, the Grigory Fedotov Stadium was demolished in 2007, and ground was broken on the club's new stadium Arena CSKA later the same year. During construction of their new stadium, CSKA played the majority of their games at the Arena Khimki and Luzhniki Stadium. After several delays in its construction, Arena CSKA was official opened on 10 September 2016.[34]

On 28 February 2017, CSKA Moscow announced that they had sold the naming rights to the stadium to VEB.RF, with the stadium becoming the VEB Arena.[35]

In 2018, CSKA decided to play its home UEFA Champions League matches at Luzhniki Stadium, instead of VEB Arena.[citation needed]

Honours

[edit]

League and Cup history

[edit]

Soviet Union

[edit]
Season League Soviet Cup Europe Other Top scorer Head coach
Division Pos P W D L F A Pts Competition Result Competition Result Name Goals
1936(s) 1st 4 6 2 1 3 13 18 11 - - Evgeny Shelagin 3 Soviet Union Pavel Khalkiopov
1936(a) 8 7 2 0 5 9 20 11 R32 Ivan Mitronov
Nikolai Isaev
2
1937 9 16 3 1 12 18 43 23 SF Mikhail Kireev 5 Soviet Union Mikhail Rushchinsky
1938 2 25 17 3 5 52 24 37 R64 Soviet Union Grigory Fedotov 20 Soviet Union Konstantin Zhiboedov
1939 3 26 14 4 8 68 43 32 QF 21 Soviet Union Konstantin Zhiboedov
1940 4 24 10 9 5 46 35 29 - 21 Soviet Union Sergei Bukhteev
1941 -
1942
1943
1944 - Runner-Up - Soviet Union Evgeny Nikishin
Soviet Union Boris Arkadyev
1945 1st 2 22 18 3 1 69 23 39 Winner - - Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov 24 Soviet Union Boris Arkadyev
1946 1 22 17 3 2 55 13 37 QF Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev 16
1947 24 17 6 1 61 16 40 SF Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev
Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov
14
1948 26 19 3 4 82 30 41 Winner Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov 23
1949 2 34 22 7 5 86 30 51 SF Soviet Union Grigory Fedotov 18
1950 1 36 20 13 3 91 31 53 Boris Koverznev 21
1951 28 18 7 3 53 19 43 Winner Soviet Union Alexei Grinin
Soviet Union Vyacheslav Solovyov
10
1952 - LC Winner -
1953 -
1954 1st 6 24 8 8 8 30 29 24 QF - - Viktor Fyodorov 6 Soviet Union Grigory Pinaichev
1955 3 22 12 7 3 35 20 31 Winner Valentin Yemyshev
Yuri Belyaev
8
1956 22 10 5 7 40 32 25 - Yuri Belyaev 15
1957 5 22 12 2 8 51 31 27 SF Soviet Union Vasily Buzunov 16
1958 3 22 9 9 4 40 25 27 R16 Soviet Union German Apukhtin 10 Soviet Union Boris Arkadyev
1959 9 22 8 3 11 29 27 19 - 9
1960 6 30 15 2 13 45 35 32 R16 Vladimir Streshniy 12 Soviet Union Grigory Pinaichev
1961 4 30 16 6 8 61 43 38 R64 Soviet Union Alexei Mamykin 18 Soviet Union Konstantin Beskov
1962 32 14 12 6 39 22 40 R32 Soviet Union Vladimir Fedotov 6
1963 7 38 14 17 7 39 27 45 8 Soviet Union Vyacheslav Solovyov
1964 3 32 16 11 5 49 23 43 QF 16 Soviet Union Vyacheslav Solovyov
Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev
1965 32 14 10 8 38 24 38 R16 Boris Kazakov 15 Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev
1966 5 36 16 9 11 60 45 41 R32 15 Soviet Union Sergei Shaposhnikov
1967 9 36 12 12 12 35 35 36 Runner-Up Taras Shulyatitsky 6 Soviet Union Sergei Shaposhnikov
Soviet Union Alexei Kalinin
Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov
1968 4 38 20 10 8 50 30 50 R16 Soviet Union Vladimir Polikarpov 10 Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov
1969 6 32 13 11 8 25 18 37 SF Berador Abduraimov 7
1970 1 32 20 5 7 46 17 45 R16 Soviet Union Boris Kopeikin 15 Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev
1971 12 30 7 12 11 34 36 26 EC R2 8
1972 5 30 15 4 11 37 33 34 SF - Soviet Union Vladimir Polikarpov
Vladimir Dorofeev
Wilhelm Tellinger
6
1973 10 30 10 9 11 33 36 25 QF Vladimir Dorofeev 9
1974 13 30 7 12 11 28 33 26 R16 Soviet Union Vladimir Fedotov
Yuri Smirnov
5 Soviet Union Vladimir Agapov
1975 30 6 13 11 29 36 25 SF Soviet Union Boris Kopeikin 13 Soviet Union Anatoly Tarasov
1976(s) 7 15 5 5 5 20 16 15 - 6 Soviet Union Alexei Mamykin
1976(a) 15 5 5 5 21 16 15 QF 8
1977 14 30 5 17 8 28 39 27 R16 Soviet Union Yuri Chesnokov 12 Soviet Union Alexei Mamykin
Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov
1978 6 30 14 4 12 36 40 32 Aleksei Belenkov 8 Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov
1979 8 34 12 8 14 46 46 32 SF Soviet Union Yuri Chesnokov 16 Soviet Union Sergei Shaposhnikov
1980 5 34 13 12 9 36 32 36 R16 Soviet Union Alexandr Tarkhanov 14 Soviet Union Oleg Bazilevich
1981 6 34 14 9 11 39 33 37 UC R1 Soviet Union Yuri Chesnokov 9
1982 15 34 10 9 15 41 46 29 Qualifying - Soviet Union Alexandr Tarkhanov 16 Soviet Union Oleg Bazilevich
Soviet Union Albert Shesternev
1983 12 34 11 12 11 37 33 32 SF Viktor Kolyadko 13 Soviet Union Albert Shesternev
1984 18 34 5 9 20 24 55 19 QF Gennady Shtromberger 4 Soviet Union Yury Morozov
1985 2nd 2 42 21 14 7 81 37 56 Soviet Union Valeri Shmarov 29
1986 1 47 27 9 11 65 35 63 R32 Sergei Berezin 19
1987 1st 15 30 7 11 12 26 35 24 Soviet Union Vladimir Tatarchuk
1988 2nd 3 42 23 10 9 69 35 56 R16 Soviet Union Valery Masalitin 16 Soviet Union Sergei Shaposhnikov
1989 1 42 27 10 5 113 28 64 R128 32 Soviet Union Pavel Sadyrin
1990 1st 2 24 13 5 6 43 26 31 SF Soviet Union Valery Masalitin / Soviet Union Igor Korneev 8
1991 1 30 17 9 4 57 32 43 Winner CWC R1 Soviet Union Dmitri Kuznetsov 12
1992 - Runner-Up -

Russia

[edit]
Season League Russian Cup Europe Other Top scorer Head coach
Division Pos P W D L F A Pts Competition Result Competition Result Name Goals
1992 Top League 5 26 13 7 6 46 29 33 Runner-Up CL GS - Russia Alexandr Grishin 10 Russia Pavel Sadyrin
Russia Gennadi Kostylev
1993 9 34 12 6 16 43 45 42 Runner-Up - Russia Ilshat Fayzulin
Russia Oleg Sergeyev
8 Russia Gennadi Kostylev
Russia Boris Kopeikin
1994 10 30 8 10 12 30 32 26 Round of 16 CWC 1R Russia Ilshat Fayzulin
Russia Oleg Sergeyev
5 Russia Boris Kopeikin
Russia Alexandr Tarkhanov
1995 6 30 16 5 9 56 34 53 Quarter-finals - Russia Dmitry Karsakov 10 Russia Alexandr Tarkhanov
1996 5 34 20 6 8 58 35 66 Round of 16 UC 1R Russia Dmitry Khokhlov
Russia Aleksei Gerasimov
10
1997 12 34 11 9 14 31 42 42 Quarter-finals - Russia Vladimir Kulik 9 Russia Pavel Sadyrin
1998 2 30 17 5 8 50 22 56 Semi-finals 14 Russia Pavel Sadyrin
Russia Oleg Dolmatov
1999 3 30 15 10 5 56 29 55 Runner-Up CL 2QR 14 Russia Oleg Dolmatov
2000 8 30 12 5 13 45 39 41 Round of 16 UC 1R 10 Russia Oleg Dolmatov
Russia Pavel Sadyrin
2001 7 30 12 11 7 39 30 47 Winner - Serbia Predrag Ranđelović 8 Russia Pavel Sadyrin
Russia Aleksandr Kuznetsov
2002 Premier League 2 30 21 3 6 60 27 66 Round of 32 UC 1R Russia Rolan Gusev
Russia Dmitry Kirichenko
15 Russia Valery Gazzaev
2003 1 30 17 8 5 56 32 59 Quarter-finals CL 2QR RSC Runner-Up Russia Rolan Gusev 9
2004 2 30 17 9 4 53 22 60 Winner CL GS RSC Winner Croatia Ivica Olić
Brazil Vágner Love
Russia Dmitry Kirichenko
9 Portugal Artur Jorge
Russia Valery Gazzaev
2005 1 30 18 8 4 48 20 62 UC
UC
Winner

GS
USC Runner-up Croatia Ivica Olić 10 Russia Valery Gazzaev
2006 30 17 7 6 47 28 58 Round of 16 CL GS RSC Winner Brazil 14
2007 3 30 14 11 5 43 24 53 Winner UC
CL
R32
GS
RSC Winner Brazil
Brazil Vágner Love
13
2008 2 30 16 8 6 53 24 56 UC R16 - Brazil Vágner Love 20
2009 5 30 16 4 10 48 30 52 Round of 32 CL QF RSC Winner Serbia Miloš Krasić
Czech Republic Tomáš Necid
9 Brazil Zico
Spain Juande Ramos
Russia Leonid Slutsky
2010 2 30 18 8 4 51 22 59 Winner EL R16 RSC Runner-up Brazil Vágner Love 9 Russia Leonid Slutsky
2011–12 3 44 19 9 16 72 47 73 Round of 32 CL RSC Ivory Coast Seydou Doumbia 28
2012–13 1 30 20 4 6 49 25 64 Winner EL PO - Nigeria Ahmed Musa 11
2013–14 30 20 4 6 49 26 64 Semi-finals CL GS RSC Winner Ivory Coast Seydou Doumbia 18
2014–15 2 30 19 3 8 67 27 60 CL RSC Finland Roman Eremenko 13
2015–16 1 30 20 5 5 51 25 65 Runner-Up CL - Nigeria Ahmed Musa 13
2016–17 2 30 18 8 4 47 15 62 Round of 32 CL RSC Runner-up Russia Fyodor Chalov
Israel Bibras Natcho
Brazil Vitinho
6 Russia Leonid Slutsky
Belarus Viktor Goncharenko
2017–18 30 17 7 6 49 23 58 Round of 32 CL
EL
GS
QF
- Brazil Vitinho 10 Belarus Viktor Goncharenko
2018–19 4 14 9 7 46 23 51 Round of 32 CL GS RSC Winner Russia Fyodor Chalov 15
2019–20 14 8 8 43 29 50 Quarter-finals EL - Croatia Nikola Vlašić 12
2020–21 6 30 15 5 10 51 33 50 Semi-finals EL Croatia Nikola Vlašić 11 Belarus Viktor Goncharenko
Croatia Ivica Olić

CSKA in European football

[edit]
As of match played 10 December 2020

By competition

[edit]
Competition P W D L GS GA %W
European Cup / UEFA Champions League 104 34 24 46 125 155 032.69
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 69 31 18 20 97 67 044.93
Cup Winners' Cup 4 2 0 2 5 5 050.00
UEFA Super Cup 1 0 0 1 1 3 000.00
Total 178 67 42 69 228 230 037.64

UEFA club coefficient ranking

[edit]
As of 21 September 2023. Source: UEFA Coefficients
Rank Team Points
183 Denmark Randers 7.000
184 Cyprus Anorthosis 7.000
185 Russia CSKA Moscow 7.000
186 Turkey Adana Demirspor 2.500
187 Turkey Konyaspor 2.000

Football Club Elo ranking

[edit]
As of 29 August 2024[36]
Rank Team Points
128 France Lorient 1574
129 Ukraine Shakhtar Donetsk 1573
130 Russia CSKA Moscow 1571
131 Spain SD Eibar 1571
132 Germany Hamburg 1571

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
As of 11 September 2025[37]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF  RUS Danil Krugovoy
4 DF  BRA João Victor
5 MF  ARG Rodrigo Villagra
7 MF  BRA Matheus Alves
8 FW  BLR Artyom Shumansky
9 FW  BRA Alerrandro
10 MF  RUS Ivan Oblyakov
11 FW  RUS Tamerlan Musayev
14 MF  RUS Yegor Ushakov
17 FW  RUS Kirill Glebov
18 MF  ARG Lionel Verde (on loan from Unión Santa Fe)
19 MF  COL Daniel Ruiz (on loan from Millonarios)
20 MF  SRB Matija Popović
22 DF  SRB Milan Gajić
23 DF  RUS Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov
24 DF  ARG Ramiro Di Luciano
27 DF  BRA Moisés
No. Pos. Nation Player
30 MF  RUS Gleb Popolitov
31 MF  RUS Matvey Kislyak
35 GK  RUS Igor Akinfeev (captain)
37 MF  BRA Henrique Carmo
49 GK  RUS Vladislav Torop
52 MF  ARM Artyom Bandikyan
68 DF  RUS Mikhail Ryadno
75 DF  RUS Nikita Lyzlov
78 DF  RUS Igor Diveyev
79 DF  RUS Kirill Danilov
82 MF  RUS Aleksey Bondarenko
85 GK  RUS Yegor Besayev
87 MF  RUS Artem Ponomarchuk
88 FW  RUS Artyom Serikov
90 DF  RUS Matvey Lukin
99 GK  RUS Nikolay Barovskiy

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF  RUS Ilya Agapov (at Akron Tolyatti until 30 June 2026)
DF  IRN Amirhossein Reyvandi (at Jarun Zagreb until 31 January 2026)
DF  RUS German Utkin (at Volgar Astrakhan until 30 June 2026)
MF  RUS Dmitry Koverov (at Volgar Astrakhan until 30 June 2026)
MF  RUS Maksim Mukhin (at Sochi until 30 June 2026)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  RUS Andrey Savinov (at FC Khimik Dzerzhinsk until 30 June 2026)
FW  ARG Adolfo Gaich (at Krylia Sovetov Samara until 30 June 2026)
FW  MLI Sékou Koïta (at Gençlerbirliği until 30 June 2026)
FW  RUS Nikita Savin (at Yenisey Krasnoyarsk until 30 June 2026)
FW  RUS Maksim Sidelnikov (at Leningradets until 30 June 2026)

Retired numbers

[edit]

Notable players

[edit]

Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for CSKA.

USSR/Russia
Europe
South America
Africa
Asia

Club officials

[edit]
Administration[38] Coaching staff (senior team)[39] Coaching staff (U-21 team)[40] Medical staff[41] Administrative staff[42]
  • President – Russia Evgeniy Giner
  • General director – Russia Roman Babaev
  • Executive director – Russia Dmitriy Egorov
  • Commercial director – Russia Andrey Zarubyan
  • Head coach – Russia Dmitriy Igdisamov
  • Assistant coach – Russia Maksim Bokov
  • Assistant coach – Russia Andrey Gorokhov
  • Goalkeeping coach – Russia Oleg Yurchenko
  • Fitness coach – Russia Aleksandr Driga
  • Administrator – Russia Gevond Hublarov
  • Doctor – Russia David Tskhakaya
  • Doctor – Russia Georgy Ilyich
  • Masseur – Russia Evgeny Trofimov
  • Masseur – Russia Sergey Solomentsev
  • Video operator – Russia Aleksandr Pelevin
  • Head of the medical stuff – Russia Eduard Bezuglov
  • Deputy head of the medical department – Russia Maksim Golovlev
  • Main team doctor – Russia Sergey Izmaylov
  • Main team doctor – Russia Philipp Chubarovskiy
  • Core team physical rehabilitation specialist – Russia Igor Stepanov
  • Physiotherapist-Rehabilitation specialist of the core team – Russia Pavel Grevtsov
  • Physiotherapist-Rehabilitation specialist of the core team – Spain Omid Etemad
  • Core team rehabilitation physician – Russia Vasily Demchenko
  • Massage therapist of the core team – Russia Aleksandr Chistyakov
  • Massage therapist of the core team – Georgia (country) Zauri Bolkvadze
  • Core team rehabilitation physician – Russia Yevgeniy Lebedenko
  • Medical department administrator – Russia Andrey Bibitchev
  • Chief doctor of the academy – Russia Elvira Usmanova
  • Youth team doctor – Russia David Tskhakaya
  • Youth team doctor – Russia

Evgeny Trofimov

  • Youth team doctor – Russia Georgy Ilyich
  • Youth team massage therapist – Russia Sergey Solomentsev
  • Chief physician – Russia Eduard Bezuglov
  • Doctor – Russia Sergey Izmaylov
  • Doctor – Russia Philipp Chubarovskiy
  • Physical rehabilitation specialist – Russia Igor Stepanov
  • Physiotherapist-Rehabilitologist – Spain Omid Etemad
  • Physiotherapist-Rehabilitologist – Russia Pavel Grevtsov
  • Rehabilitation specialist – Russia Vasily Demchenko
  • Masseur – Russia Yevgeniy Lebedenko
  • Masseur – Russia Aleksandr Chistyakov
  • Masseur – Georgia (country) Zauri Bolkvadze
  • Administrator – Russia Yuri Gusakov
  • Administrator – Russia Vladislav Stelmakh
  • Administrator of the medical department – Russia Andrey Bibitchev
  • Translator – Russia Vladislav Kulakov

Coaching history

[edit]
As of match played 24 July 2022
Nationality Name From To Duration P W D L Win %
Soviet Union Pavel Khalkiopov 1936 1936
Mikhail Rushchinsky 1937 1939
Sergey Bukhteyev 1940 1941
Pyotr Yezhov 1941
Yevgeni Nikishin 1942 1944
Boris Arkadyev 1944 1952
Konstantin Lyaskovskiy 1954 1954
Grigori Pinaichev 1954 1957
Boris Arkadyev 1958 1959
Grigori Pinaichev 1959 1960
Konstantin Beskov 1961 1962
Vyacheslav Solovyov 1963 1964
Valentin Nikolayev 1964 1965
Sergei Shaposhnikov 1966 1967
Vsevolod Bobrov 1967 1969
Valentin Nikolayev 1970 1973
Vladimir Agapov 1973 1974
Anatoly Tarasov 1975 1975
Aleksei Mamykin 1976 1977
Vsevolod Bobrov 1977 1978
Sergei Shaposhnikov 1979 1979
Oleh Bazylevych 1980 1982
Albert Shesternyov 1982 1983
Sergei Shaposhnikov 1983 1983
Yury Morozov 1984 1987
Sergei Shaposhnikov 1987 1988
Soviet Union
Russia
Pavel Sadyrin 1989 1992
Russia Gennadi Kostylev 1992 1993
Boris Kopeykin 1993 1994
Aleksandr Tarkhanov 5 July 1994 23 January 1997 2 years, 202 days 91 47 18 26 51.65
Pavel Sadyrin 23 January 1997 2 July 1998 1 year, 160 days 54 16 16 22 29.63
Oleg Dolmatov 2 July 1998 29 May 2000 1 year, 332 days 65 39 12 15 60
Pavel Sadyrin 1 July 2000 2 October 2001 1 year, 93 days 24 12 3 9 50
Valery Gazzaev 2 October 2001 24 November 2003 2 years, 53 days 80 48 14 18 60
Portugal Artur Jorge 24 November 2003 12 July 2004 231 days 20 9 7 4 45
Russia Valery Gazzaev 12 July 2004 22 November 2008 4 years, 133 days 213 119 52 42 55.87
Brazil Zico 9 January 2009 10 September 2009 244 days 28 14 5 9 50
Spain Juande Ramos 10 September 2009 26 October 2009 46 days 9 4 1 4 44.44
Russia Leonid Slutsky 26 October 2009 7 December 2016[17] 7 years, 42 days 287 160 57 70 55.75
Belarus Viktor Goncharenko 12 December 2016[18] 22 March 2021[20] 4 years, 100 days 183 92 40 51 50.27
Croatia Ivica Olić 23 March 2021[21] 15 June 2021[22] 84 days 9 4 1 4 44.44
Russia Aleksei Berezutski 15 June 2021[22][23] 15 June 2022[29] 1 year, 0 days 34 18 5 11 52.94
Vladimir Fedotov 15 June 2022[30] Present 3 years, 139 days 2 2 0 0 100

Ownerships, kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

[edit]
Period Kit manufacturers Shirt sponsor Owners
1980–1990 Adidas None Soviet MOD and then Russian MOD
through CSKA Moscow society
1991–1994 Umbro
1995–1996 Nike
1997–1999 Adidas
2000–2003 Umbro Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd. (Yevgeni Giner)
2004 Konti
2004–2005 Sibneft
2006–2008 VTB Bank
2009 Reebok Aeroflot
2010–2012 Bashneft
2012–2013 Adidas Aeroflot
2013–2018 Rosseti
2018–2020 Umbro
2020–2023 Joma ICS Holding VEB.RF
2023–2025 Gold'n Apotheka
2025–present Primera

Supporters and rivalries

[edit]
CSKA Moscow fans

CSKA Moscow fans maintain good relations with the fans of Serbian Partizan, Greek PAOK FC, Bulgarian CSKA Sofia, Polish Widzew Łódź and Ruch Chorzów, Romanian CSA Steaua București, and fellow Russian fans of Dynamo Moscow.[43][44] The Club's main rival is Spartak Moscow.[45]

Nickname

[edit]

CSKA was nicknamed Horses because the first stadium was built on the old racecourse/hippodromo in Moscow.[46] It was considered offensive, but later it was transformed into The Horses, and currently this nickname is used by players and fans as the name, along with other variants such as Army Men (Russian: армейцы) and Red-Blues (Russian: красно-синие).

Famous fans

[edit]

Club records

[edit]

Appearances

[edit]
Igor Akinfeev with the most appearances for CSKA at 797
As of 1st June 2025
Name Years League Cup Europe Other1 Total
1 Russia Igor Akinfeev 2003–present 596 (0) 55 (0) 132 (0) 14 (0) 797 (0)[71]
2 Russia Sergei Ignashevich 2004–2018 381 (35) 39 (6) 111 (5) 9 (0) 540 (46)[72]
3 Russia Vasili Berezutski 2002–2018 376 (9) 40 (0) 105 (4) 10 (0) 531 (13)[73]
4 Russia Aleksei Berezutski 2001–2018 341 (8) 46 (0) 106 (3) 9 (0) 502 (11)[74]
5 Soviet Union Vladimir Fedotov 1960–1975 382 (92) 42 (8) 3 (0) 0 (0) 427 (100)
6 Russia Alan Dzagoev 2008–2022 282 (55) 32 (5) 78 (17) 5 (0) 397 (77)[75]
7 Soviet Union Vladimir Polikarpov 1962–1974 341 (75) 38 (8) 4 (0) 0 (0) 383 (83)
9 Russia Georgi Shchennikov 2008–2023 257 (6) 23 (1) 74 (3) 7 (0) 367 (10)[76]
8 Lithuania Deividas Šemberas 2002–2012 254 (1) 37 (0) 70 (0) 6 (1) 367 (2)[77]
10 Bosnia and Herzegovina Elvir Rahimić 2001–2014 240 (6) 36 (0) 64 (0) 7 (0) 347 (6)[78]
11 Soviet Union Dmitri Bagrich 1958–1970 313 (1) 18 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 331 (1)[79]
12 Soviet UnionCommonwealth of Independent StatesRussia Dmitri Galiamin 1981–1991 299 (3) 29 (3) 2 (0) 0 (0) 330 (6)[80]
13 Russia Sergei Semak 1994–2004 282 (68) 25 (9) 21 (6) 1 (0) 329 (84)[81]
14 Russia Mario Fernandes 2012–2022 259 (9) 19 (2) 48 (0) 3 (0) 329 (11)
15 Soviet Union Volodymyr Kaplychnyi 1966–1975 288 (5) 35 (1) 4 (0) 0 (0) 327 (6)
16 Russia Kirill Nababkin 2009–2024 237 (4) 39 (0) 43 (1) 5 (0) 324 (5)
17 Soviet UnionCommonwealth of Independent StatesRussia Dmitri Kuznetsov 1984–1991, 1992, 1997–1998 292 (49) 29 (5) 2 (0) 0 (0) 323 (54)[82]
18 Russia Evgeni Aldonin 2004–2013 213 (6) 31 (5) 66 (2) 5 (0) 315 (13)[83]
19 Soviet Union Albert Shesternyov 1959–1972 278 (1) 23 (0) 4 (0) 0 (0) 305 (1)
20 Soviet Union Aleksey Grinin 1939–1952 246 (82) 34 (18) 0 (0) 13 (4) 293 (104)[84]

1Includes Russian Super Cup, Russian Premier League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

Top goalscorers

[edit]
As of 8 December 2024
Vagner Love scored 124 goals in 259 games during his CSKA career
Name Years League Cup Europe Other1 Total
1 Soviet Union Grigory Fedotov 1938–1949 128 (160) 10 (18) 0 (0) 18 (23) 161 (196)[85]
2 Brazil Vágner Love 2004–2011, 2013 85 (169) 8 (27) 30 (57) 1 (6) 124 (259)[86]
3 Soviet Union Valentin Nikolayev 1940–1952 81 (201) 23 (36) 0 (0) 14 (16) 118 (253)[87]
4 Soviet Union Aleksey Grinin 1939-1952 82 (246) 18 (34) 4 (13) 104 (293)
5 Soviet Union Vsevolod Bobrov 1945–1949 84 (79) 18 (20) 0 (0) 102 (99)[88]
6 Soviet Union Vladimir Fedotov 1960–1975 92 (382) 8 (42) 100 (427)[89]
7 Soviet Union Vladimir Dyomin 1941-1952, 1954 80 (195) 15 (35) 3 (8) 98 (238)[90]
8 Ivory Coast Seydou Doumbia 2010–2014, 2015 66 (108) 5 (11) 23 (30) 1 (1) 95 (150)[91]
9 Soviet Union Boris Kopeikin 1969-1977 71 (223) 21 (37) 2 (4) 0 (0) 94 (264)
10 Russia Fyodor Chalov 2016–2024 76 (197) 9 (32) 4 (30) 0 (2) 89 (261)
11 Soviet Union Yuri Chesnokov 1975–1983 72 (252) 14 (35) 1 (2) 0 (0) 87 (289)
12 Russia Sergei Semak 1994–2004 68 (282) 9 (25) 6 (21) 0 (1) 84 (329)[81]
13 Soviet Union Vladimir Polikarpov 1962-1974 75 (341) 8 (38) 0 (4) 0 (0) 83 (383)
14 Russia Valeri Masalitin 1987–1989, 1990–1992, 1993 73 (134) 5 (20) 0 (2) 78 (156)
15 Russia Alan Dzagoev 2008–2022 55 (282) 5 (32) 17 (78) 0 (5) 77 (397)[75]
16 Soviet Union Aleksandr Tarkhanov 1976–1984 61 (249) 10 (33) 1 (2) 0 (0) 72 (284)
17 Russia Vladimir Kulik 1997–2001 49 (140) 14 (18) 0 (4) - (-) 63 (162)[92]
18 Nigeria Ahmed Musa 2012–2016, 2018 48 (135) 6 (15) 7 (32) 0 (2) 61 (184)[93]
19 Soviet UnionCommonwealth of Independent StatesRussia Igor Korneev 1985–1991 48 (144) 9 (20) 0 (2) 57 (166)
20 Soviet UnionCommonwealth of Independent StatesRussia Dmitri Kuznetsov 1984–1991, 1992, 1997–1998 49 (292) 5 (29) 54 (323)

1Includes Russian Super Cup, Russian Premier League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

CSKA Women

[edit]

CSKA's women's football team was founded in 1990 and competed in Soviet Championship's second level. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union that same year, it registered in the Russian Supreme Division, where it competed for two seasons before it folded.

Following the disbanding of Zorky Krasnogorsk near the end of the 2015 Top Division, FK Rossiyanka filled its vacancy for the next season and the new team was registered as CSKA in the 2016 championship. Its first game, a 1–1 draw against Chertanovo, coincided with the 93rd anniversary of the CSKA's first football match.[94] CSKA ended the championship second-to-last, while Rossiyanka won its fifth title.

In July 2017, during the inter-season summer pause, it became a CSKA official section.[95] Two months later the team won its first title after defeating Chertanovo 1–0 in the Russian Cup final.

In recent years CSKA Women won two Russian championships in a row, in 2019 and 2020 and made their debut in UEFA Women's Champions League.

FC CSKA-d Moscow and FC CSKA-2 Moscow

[edit]

The reserves team played on the professional level as FC CSKA-d Moscow (Russian Second League in 1992–93, Russian Third League in 1994–97, Russian Second Division in 1998–00, in 1998–00 team was called FC CSKA-2 Moscow). A separate farm club called FC CSKA-2 Moscow played in the Soviet Second League in 1986–89, Soviet Second League B in 1990–91, Russian Second League in 1992–93 and Russian Third League in 1994. That latter team was called FC Chaika-CSKA-2 Moscow for one season in 1989.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

PFC CSKA Moscow is a professional association football club based in , , that competes in the as the flagship team of the broader CSKA multi-sport society, which traces its origins to the and later served as the official club of the .
Founded in 1911 as the OLLS sports society, the club has amassed a record of dominance in domestic competitions, securing seven titles and six championships, alongside five Soviet Cups and nine Russian Cups. Its most notable international achievement came in , when it became the first Russian club to win a major European trophy by claiming the Cup after defeating Sporting CP in the final.
The club's success stems from its military affiliation, which provided access to top talent during the Soviet era, enabling it to win 32 of 44 USSR national championships across various sports within the CSKA framework, though this system has drawn scrutiny for distorting competitive merit through state-directed player allocation. As part of a sports conglomerate active in over 40 disciplines—including , , and —CSKA has produced 463 Olympic champions, underscoring its role in 's state-supported athletic apparatus.

History

Origins and Foundation

The origins of PFC CSKA Moscow lie in the pre-revolutionary , where a sports society focused on skiing was established by army officers in 1911. Known initially as OLLS (Общество любителей лыжного спорта, or Society of Skiing Enthusiasts), the group expanded to include football that same year, with the team's inaugural match occurring on August 27, 1911. This military affiliation set the foundation for the club's enduring ties to the armed forces, distinguishing it from civilian sports organizations like those backed by trade unions or . Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the OLLS was restructured to align with Soviet military priorities, emphasizing physical training for personnel amid the . By 1922–1923, it was incorporated into the Experimental and Demonstrational Playground of Physical Culture of the (OPPU RKKA), a precursor entity under the Council of Physical Culture. The football section's competitive debut came on April 29, 1923, in the city championship, where it competed as part of the army's sports apparatus rather than as an independent entity. This early integration reflected the Soviet state's instrumental use of sports for ideological and military purposes, with CSKA's predecessor benefiting from institutional support but operating under direct oversight. The club's evolution from an officers' recreational circle to a formalized sports collective laid the groundwork for its later dominance, though initial years were marked by amateur status and regional competition limited by wartime disruptions.

Soviet Era Dominance and State Control

During the Soviet period, , operating primarily as CDKA (Club of the Sports Society of the Central House of the ) until the mid-1950s, emerged as one of the premier football clubs under the patronage of the Soviet establishment. Founded in as a sports society for personnel, it transitioned into a key component of the 's sports apparatus following the 1917 Revolution, with football becoming a prominent discipline by the . This affiliation granted the club unparalleled access to resources, including superior training facilities and funding from state organs, which facilitated its rise amid the centralized structure of Soviet sports, where clubs were tied to industrial or institutional ministries. The club's dominance peaked in the immediate post-World War II years, securing five titles between 1946 and 1951 under coach Boris Arkadyev, who implemented an innovative W-M formation emphasizing fluid positional play and pressing precursors. Key figures included forwards , Grigory Fedotov, and midfielder Valentin Nikolayev, whose contributions propelled CDKA to three consecutive championships from 1946 to 1948. This era saw the entire starting lineup recognized among the USSR's elite 33 players, underscoring tactical sophistication alongside military backing. However, political interference manifested dramatically in 1952, when ordered the club's temporary disbandment following a 5-1 defeat to in the 1952 Olympic football tournament, attributing national embarrassment to CDKA's performance; it reformed as CDSA in 1953 and CSKA in 1955 after 's death. State control profoundly shaped CSKA's competitive edge through mandatory military conscription, enabling the enlistment of top talents nationwide—often granting them officer ranks like to incentivize service—which civilian rivals like Spartak Moscow lacked. This system, embedded in the sports society, concentrated athletic prowess in -based "powerhouse" clubs, with CSKA amassing a total of seven Top League titles (including predecessors CDKA and CDSA) and five Soviet Cups by 1991, though it trailed Spartak (12 titles) and (11) in overall count. Such mechanisms prioritized and military prestige over pure , fostering resentment from non-state clubs but ensuring consistent contention among the "big four" Moscow teams. CSKA's later successes, including titles in 1958 and 1970, sustained this pattern until the USSR's dissolution.

Post-Soviet Transition and Revival

Following the in December 1991, PFC CSKA Moscow transitioned from the —where it had secured the final title—to the inaugural Russian Top League season in 1992. The club posted a competitive second-place finish with 51 points from 22 matches, trailing champions Spartak Moscow by six points and qualifying for the , though it exited in the first round against Galatasaray. The early 1990s in , characterized by , subsidy cuts, and chaos, strained club finances across the board, including CSKA, which relied on dwindling after losing centralized Soviet state support. Despite this, CSKA avoided outright bankruptcy—unlike some peers—thanks to its ties to the , but performance waned as key players departed and infrastructure lagged. In 1993, the team ended 10th with 36 points from 34 matches; by 1994, it placed 6th with 49 points from 38 matches, reflecting mid-table stagnation amid Spartak Moscow's dominance, which yielded nine straight league titles from 1992 to 2000. Revival efforts gained traction in the late under emerging private investment and leadership changes, with businessman Yevgeny Giner assuming the presidency in early 2001 after years of involvement in club affairs. These steps, combining military stability with commercial sponsorships, stabilized operations and rebuilt the squad, ending the decade with a 4th-place finish in 2000 and positioning CSKA for renewed contention.

European Breakthrough and Domestic Peaks ()

In the early 2000s, under manager , experienced a resurgence fueled by strategic signings and a robust , culminating in domestic dominance and a historic European triumph. The club secured its first title in the 2002–03 season, finishing with 65 points from 30 matches, ahead of Lokomotiv Moscow by five points. This victory marked the beginning of a three-title streak in the decade, with additional championships in 2004–05 (62 points, six ahead of Spartak Moscow) and 2005–06 (58 points, seven ahead of Spartak). also claimed the Russian Cup in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, contributing to a period of sustained excellence that positioned them as Russia's preeminent club during this era. The pinnacle of CSKA's European breakthrough arrived in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, where the team navigated a challenging path including victories over Austria Wien, , Partizan, Shakhtar Donetsk, and , before defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final on May 18, 2005, at in . Goals from midfielders , , and secured the win, making CSKA the first Russian club to claim a major European trophy and highlighting the tactical discipline and counter-attacking prowess under Gazzaev. This success, combined with the domestic double that season, formed a rare treble, elevating CSKA's profile internationally and domestically. Following the UEFA Cup victory, CSKA qualified for the group stage, where they faced Chelsea, , and , finishing third with seven points from six matches despite notable draws against Chelsea (1–1 home) and (1–1 away). Key contributors included goalkeeper , who debuted professionally in 2003 and anchored the defense, alongside forwards and midfielders like , whose technical skill and set-piece execution were instrumental in the 2005 triumphs. By the end of the decade, CSKA had amassed six major domestic honors, solidifying their status as a powerhouse amid growing investment from club president Yevgeny Giner, though sustained European progress remained elusive beyond the initial breakthrough.

Modern Challenges and Resilience (2010s-Present)

In the early 2010s, PFC CSKA Moscow achieved significant domestic success, clinching the titles in the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16 seasons, alongside Russian Cup victories in 2011 and 2013. These triumphs built on the club's post-Soviet revival, with key contributions from players like and , though European campaigns yielded mixed results, including Champions League group stage exits in 2011–12 and 2015–16. However, intensifying competition from state-backed rivals such as Zenit St. Petersburg, fueled by substantial energy sector investments, eroded CSKA's dominance, resulting in no further league titles after 2016 and frequent mid-table finishes in subsequent years. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine imposed profound external challenges, as suspended all Russian clubs from European competitions on February 28, 2022, barring CSKA from qualifying for the despite a potential top-four domestic finish. This ban, extended indefinitely and upheld by the on July 15, 2022, after appeals by CSKA, Zenit, , and , severed access to lucrative UEFA revenue, limited player recruitment from abroad due to FIFA transfer restrictions, and isolated the club from global scouting networks. Broader Western sanctions exacerbated financial strains, complicating sponsorships and ownership structures involving entities like Bluecastle Enterprises, though CSKA avoided the acute liquidity crises seen in some peers. Despite these adversities, CSKA demonstrated resilience through sustained domestic competitiveness and internal development. The club secured the Russian Cup in 2022–23, its ninth title, and maintained a top-four presence in the , culminating in third place during the 2024–25 season with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses by late October. Long-serving figures like captain , with over 600 appearances since 2003, anchored stability, while youth academy outputs sustained squad depth amid transfer limitations. This adaptability underscores CSKA's reliance on institutional ties to the Russian military-sport complex for operational continuity, even as geopolitical isolation persists.

Stadium and Facilities

VEB Arena

serves as the home stadium for PFC CSKA Moscow, accommodating up to 30,000 spectators for football matches. The venue opened on 10 September 2016, hosting CSKA's fixture against Terek as its inaugural event. Construction commenced in 2007 to replace the club's previous ground, but progressed intermittently due to funding issues and regulatory hurdles, including a prolonged suspension of 16 months from 2009 to 2011. The project, designed with a focus on modern functionality, integrates a continuous seating bowl initially planned but modified to include upper-tier tracks for enhanced sightlines. In February 2017, the stadium acquired from , 's state-owned development corporation, reflecting its financial ties to the club's ownership structure. A hallmark of the arena's is a 142-meter tower rising from the southwest corner, engineered to mimic the Cup trophy in tribute to CSKA's victory in the competition. This multifunctional structure encompasses office spaces and overlooks the pitch, contributing to the site's . The facility supports all-seater configuration compliant with standards, with a recorded peak attendance of 26,420 during the 2016 home opener.

Training and Youth Academy Infrastructure

The primary training ground for PFC CSKA Moscow is located in Vatutinki-1, within the Leninsky District of . This facility serves as the main base for the first-team squad's preparations and includes multiple pitches, among them two heated fields designed to support year-round training regardless of weather conditions. The complex functions as a comprehensive sports center, accommodating team camps and sessions with on-site residential options for players and staff. PFC CSKA Moscow's youth academy operates through the club's dedicated football school, which supports around 320 players across various age groups. These trainees receive full equipment provisions and financial scholarships directly from the club to facilitate their development. The school's infrastructure features two dedicated football fields surfaced with contemporary , enabling consistent training access in urban settings. Supplementary facilities include Oktyabr Stadium, situated at Zhivopisnaya Street 21 in , which provides additional pitches for youth and activities. This setup integrates with the club's broader resources, such as the nearby complex, to support , , and progression pathways from levels to professional squads, though specific metrics on academy output remain tied to historical player promotions rather than dedicated youth-only expansions.

Honours

Domestic Competitions

CSKA Moscow has secured 7 titles, achieved in the seasons 1940, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, and 1991, establishing the club as one of the era's dominant forces under state-backed military sponsorship. The team also lifted the Soviet Cup 5 times, with victories in 1946, 1951, 1977, 1988, and 1991, including a domestic double in the final Soviet season. In the post-Soviet period, CSKA has won the 6 times: in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16, often under the guidance of coaches like and Leonid Slutsky, leveraging a blend of Russian talent and strategic foreign signings. The club holds a record 9 Russian Cup triumphs, recorded in 2001–02, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, and 2022–23, demonstrating consistent cup competition prowess. Additionally, CSKA has claimed the 8 times: in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2023, typically pitting league champions against cup winners or the previous season's top teams.
CompetitionTitlesYears
71940, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1991
Soviet Cup51946, 1951, 1977, 1988, 1991
62003, 2005, 2006, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16
Russian Cup92001–02, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2022–23
82006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023

European Tournaments

PFC CSKA Moscow secured its only major European title by winning the , defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final on 18 May 2005 at the in . The victory marked the first time a Russian club claimed a European competition trophy, achieved under manager Valeri Gazzaev with key contributions from players including , who scored in the final. This success followed a domestic double of the and Russian Cup, enabling qualification and progression through a challenging knockout path that included victories over clubs such as FC Artmedia, , and . The club has not won additional European honours, though it qualified for the in 2005 as UEFA Cup holders, losing 3–1 on aggregate to after a 1–1 first-leg draw and 3–0 second-leg defeat. Subsequent participations in the (reaching the group stage in seasons including 2006–07, 2009–10, and 2015–16) and yielded no further titles, with CSKA's overall European record reflecting competitive but trophyless campaigns post-2005.

Unofficial and Regional Awards

In the pre-national era of Soviet football, PFC CSKA 's predecessor clubs competed in regional competitions such as the Championship, which predated the inaugural USSR Championship in 1936. These tournaments represented key local honors for -based teams during the 1920s and early 1930s. The club's early iterations secured notable placements, including runner-up in the Championship between clubs (autumn edition) and runner-up in the Championship between first teams (spring edition), alongside a third-place finish in another Championship event. These results highlight competitive regional standing amid the fragmented structure of Russian football before centralized national governance. No major unofficial awards, such as independent rankings or non-federation trophies, are prominently documented in the club's historical record, with emphasis instead on official domestic and European successes in later periods.

Competitive Record

Russian Premier League and Soviet Top League Performance

In the Soviet Top League, which operated from 1936 to 1991 as the premier division of Soviet football, CSKA Moscow achieved seven championships, establishing itself as one of the league's most successful clubs alongside Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow. The titles were secured in the 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1970, and 1991 seasons, with the club benefiting from its affiliation with the Soviet military, which provided access to disciplined players and resources during and after World War II. A notable period of dominance came immediately postwar, with three consecutive victories from 1946 to 1948, during which CSKA outpaced rivals in a league format that evolved from regional groups to a nationwide structure by 1936. Later successes, including the 1991 title in the league's final season amid the USSR's dissolution, reflected resilience despite periods of inconsistency, such as relegations in the 1960s and 1980s that required promotion battles.
SeasonAchievement
1946Champions
1947Champions
1948Champions
1950Champions
1951Champions
1970Champions
1991Champions
In the Russian Premier League (RPL), launched in 2001 as the top tier of post-Soviet Russian football, CSKA Moscow has won five championships as of the 2024–25 season, positioning it among the league's elite behind Zenit Saint Petersburg's nine titles. These victories occurred in the 2004–05, 2005–06, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16 campaigns, marked by tactical discipline and integration of international talent following the club's privatization and investment influx in the early 2000s. The mid-2000s back-to-back titles signaled a revival after transitional struggles in the 1990s Russian leagues, while the 2010s haul—three titles in four years—highlighted peak form under coaches like Leonid Slutsky, with the team accumulating points totals exceeding 60 in championship seasons amid a 16-team format emphasizing away goals and playoffs in some early years. CSKA has maintained top-flight status without relegation since the RPL's inception, often finishing in the top four, though recent seasons (e.g., second place in 2022–23) show competitiveness tempered by financial disparities with oil-backed rivals.
SeasonAchievement
2004–05Champions
2005–06Champions
2012–13Champions
2013–14Champions
2015–16Champions

Domestic Cup Results

CSKA Moscow has won the Soviet Cup five times between 1945 and 1991, contributing to the club's early dominance in competitions during the USSR . The victories occurred in the 1944–45, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1954–55, and 1990–91 seasons, with the latter marking a double alongside the title in the final year of the competition. These triumphs often featured defensive solidity and key contributions from military-affiliated players, reflecting the club's institutional backing. In the post-Soviet period, CSKA has excelled in the Russian Cup, securing nine titles as of 2025 and sharing the record for most wins with Lokomotiv Moscow. The club achieved a of consecutive victories from 2004–05 to 2006–07, including the 2005–06 final where they defeated rivals Spartak Moscow 3–0, and contributed to domestic trebles in 2005–06 (with the and ). Recent successes include wins in the 2022–23 final against (1–1, 6–5 pens) and the 2024–25 final against Rostov (0–0, 4–3 pens), demonstrating resilience in high-stakes matches.
SeasonOpponentResult
2001–022–0
2004–051–0
2005–06Spartak Moscow3–0
2007–08Amkar Perm2–2 (4–1 pens)
2008–09Rubin Kazan1–0
2010–11Alania Vladikavkaz2–1
2012–131–1 (4–3 pens)
2022–231–1 (6–5 pens)
2024–25Rostov0–0 (4–3 pens)
This table summarizes CSKA's Russian Cup final victories, highlighting a pattern of narrow, decisive wins in six of nine finals decided by penalties or single goals. The club's cup performances have often intersected with league success, with five instances of winning both competitions in the same season.

European Campaign Summaries

CSKA Moscow's European campaigns have primarily featured participations in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League, with the club qualifying through domestic league and cup successes. The team has appeared in the Champions League group stage on nine occasions between 2004 and 2018, accumulating 18 wins, 18 draws, and 42 losses across 78 matches, but never advancing beyond the round of 16. In the Europa League and its predecessor, CSKA contested 69 matches with 31 wins, though post-2005 performances were limited to group stage or early knockout exits. The club's zenith occurred in the 2004–05 , where CSKA became the first Russian side to claim a major European trophy. Starting from the first round, they eliminated Fenerbahçe (aggregate 3–2), (6–1 aggregate), Partizan (4–0 aggregate in quarter-finals), and (3–2 aggregate in semi-finals, with a 2–1 first-leg win in secured by Taras and Vágner goals). In the final on May 18, 2005, in , CSKA defeated Sporting CP 3–1, with goals from (28'), (44'), and Vágner (72'); Ricardo scored for Sporting (90+2'). This victory, under coach , followed a domestic double of the and Russian Cup. Subsequent to the UEFA Cup triumph, CSKA contested the on August 26 in , losing 1–3 to after extra time. John Arne (28' own goal by CSKA) and two late strikes from Djibril (82', 103' extra time) plus Luis García (109') secured the win for , with CSKA's lone goal by (89'). In later Europa League campaigns, notable efforts included the 2010–11 group stage exit after topping a group with , Rapid Wien, and Hapoel , followed by a round of 32 loss to (1–1 home, 0–2 away). The 2015–16 edition saw another group stage participation, but elimination with losses to Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur. UEFA suspended Russian clubs from competitions starting February 2022 due to the invasion of , curtailing CSKA's recent European involvement; prior to this, their 2018–19 Champions League group stage featured a 3–0 away win over Viktoria Plzeň but overall third-place finish behind Real Madrid and Roma. Across all , CSKA's record stands at 104 Champions League games (34 wins), reflecting consistent but rarely transcendent continental impact beyond the 2005 milestone.

Players and Personnel

Current First-Team Squad

As of the 2025–26 season, PFC CSKA Moscow's first-team squad consists of 28 players, with an average age of 23.4 years and 13 foreign nationals comprising 46.4% of the roster.

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerNationalityAge
3539
49Vladislav Torop21
85Egor Besaev19

Defenders

No.PlayerNationalityAge
78Igor Diveev26
4João Victor27
90Matvey Lukin21
23Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov20
27Moisés30
68Mikhail Ryadno20
22Milan Gajic29
24Ramiro Di Luciano/21

Midfielders

No.PlayerNationalityAge
5Rodrigo Villagra24
52Artem Bandikyan/Russia20
31Matvey KislyakRussia20
10Russia27
18Lionel Verde21
3Danil KrugovoyRussia27
7Matheus Alves20
20Matija Popović/19

Forwards

No.PlayerNationalityAge
19Daniel Ruiz24
17Kirill Glebov19
37Henrique Carmo18
30Gleb Popolitov18
14Egor Ushakov22
88Artem Serikov18
9Alerrandro25
11Tamerlan Musaev24
8Artem Shumanskiy20

Notable Alumni and Hall of Fame

CSKA Moscow has nurtured several players who attained prominence in Soviet and Russian football, contributing to the club's legacy through domestic and international achievements. Albert Shesternev, a central defender, played for CSKA from 1961 to 1972, earning 90 caps for the USSR national team, including captaincy at three FIFA World Cups (1962, 1966, and 1970) and two European Championships. In the modern era, Sergey Ignashevich emerged as a cornerstone, accumulating 541 appearances for CSKA between 2004 and 2017, the second-highest in club history, while securing 127 international caps for —the national record. The club lacks a formal Hall of Fame, but such figures are often regarded as immortals for their longevity and contributions to titles like the 2005 UEFA Cup win. Other distinguished alumni include the Berezutski brothers, Aleksei and Vasili, who each exceeded 300 appearances primarily as defenders from 1999 to 2018, representing at and 2008. Foreign talents like Brazilian forward , who scored prolifically across two stints (2004–2012 and 2015–2018), also left a mark with over 140 goals. These players exemplify CSKA's role in developing talent amid its military-backed structure.

Coaching and Management History


The coaching lineage of PFC CSKA Moscow originated with the club's formation in 1911 under the Russian Imperial Army, evolving through the Soviet period where military affiliation shaped its management. Boris Arkadyev, a pioneering figure in Soviet football, led the team—operating as CDKA Moscow during much of his tenure—from the late 1930s to the early 1950s, securing five Soviet Top League championships (1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951) and contributing to the club's foundational success amid state-controlled sports structures. His methods emphasized tactical discipline and player development, influencing generations despite political purges affecting the club post-1952 Olympics.
Subsequent Soviet-era coaches included Konstantin Beskov (1960–1962), who brought experience from , and multi-sport icon in stints during the 1960s and 1970s, though CSKA's dominance waned relative to rivals like Spartak and amid intensified competition and resource allocation in the USSR Championship. managed briefly in 1982–1983, leveraging his playing legacy for tactical innovations. In the post-Soviet era, CSKA endured financial instability and relegation threats before stabilization under Pavel Sadyrin, who coached multiple terms from 1989–1992, 1997–1998, and 2000–2001, laying groundwork for resurgence with a focus on youth integration. Valery Gazzaev's returns in 2001–2003 and 2004–2008 marked a pinnacle, yielding three Russian Premier League titles (2003, 2005, 2006), two Russian Cups (2002, 2005), and the 2005 UEFA Cup—the club's inaugural European honor—through aggressive recruitment and high-pressing tactics. Leonid Slutsky's tenure from October 2009 to December 2016 delivered three additional league championships (2013, 2014, 2016) and two Russian Cups (2011, 2013), emphasizing defensive solidity and European qualification, while balancing club and national team duties for at UEFA Euro 2016. Recent years featured (2016–2021), who clinched Russian Cups in 2018 and 2020 amid squad transitions; brief caretaker roles by Ivica Olič (2021) and Aleksey Berezutskiy (2021–2022); and Vladimir Fedotov (2022–2024). Marko Nikolić held the post from June 2024 to June 2025, followed by Fabio Celestini, appointed 20 June 2025 on a two-year , introducing Swiss tactical precision to the Russian champions.
PeriodHead CoachKey Achievements
2001–2003, 2004–2008Valery Gazzaev3× Russian Premier League, 1× UEFA Cup
2009–2016Leonid Slutsky3× Russian Premier League, 2× Russian Cup
2016–2021Viktor Goncharenko2× Russian Cup
2025–presentFabio CelestiniOngoing tenure as of October 2025

Ownership, Sponsorship, and Economics

Ownership Evolution and Military Ties

PFC CSKA Moscow originated as the football team of the Central Sports Club of the Red Army (CDKA), founded in 1923 under the auspices of the Soviet Ministry of Defense to foster athletic prowess among military officers and personnel. Throughout the Soviet period, the club operated as a constituent of the DOSARM sports society, directly funded and controlled by the armed forces, with its primary mandate to enhance physical readiness and ideological loyalty within the ranks. This structure positioned CSKA as the premier representative of military sporting excellence, producing numerous athletes who doubled as servicemen. Following the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, CSKA underwent partial , severing direct operational control by the Ministry of Defense while preserving its army-affiliated identity and branding. By 2012, the Russian defense ministry divested its remaining equity stake to Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd., a UK-registered entity, marking the end of formal ownership. Subsequent financial strains, including over $240 million in debts tied to construction, prompted a major restructuring in 2019, when the state-owned development corporation acquired more than 75% of shares, converting liabilities into equity and assuming majority control. This state intervention via , under government oversight, reflected ongoing public sector influence amid private management challenges. Military ties, though attenuated post-privatization, endure through CSKA's foundational role as the armed forces' club and its integration into Russia's broader framework. The club ceased mandatory for players in 2009, yet maintains affiliations that support talent development and patriotic initiatives. These connections have drawn international scrutiny, including U.S. sanctions in 2022 linking the club to Russian defense interests via historical and residual ties.

Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors

CSKA Moscow has utilized various kit manufacturers throughout its history, with Primera serving as the primary supplier for the 2025–26 season onward, producing the home kit to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the club's 2005 Cup victory. Prior to this, the club adopted an in-house production model from the 2023–24 season through 2024–25, following the termination of its partnership with , which had supplied kits from 2020 to 2023 and continued providing socks, off-field apparel, and goalkeeper equipment during the in-house period. Earlier manufacturers included (2018–2020), (2012–2018), (2009–2012), and again (2001–2008).
PeriodKit Manufacturer
2025–presentPrimera
2023–2025In-House
2020–2023
2018–2020
2012–2018
2009–2012
2001–2008
1997–1999
The club's primary shirt sponsor since the 2023–24 season is Gold'n Apotheka, a chain, appearing on the front of match kits including the 2024–25 home jersey. Previously, ICS Holding sponsored shirts from 2020 to 2023, succeeding (2013–2020), a state-owned energy . Additional major partners include , a betting that has been an official sponsor since 2020 and supports joint promotions and arena activations.
PeriodShirt Sponsor
2023–presentGold'n Apotheka
2020–2023ICS Holding
2013–2020
2012–2013
2010–2012
2009–2010

Financial Performance and Investments

PFC CSKA Moscow's financial operations have been shaped by its historical military affiliations and subsequent efforts, with revenues primarily derived from domestic , sponsorships, and matchday income following the exclusion from European competitions due to geopolitical sanctions imposed since 2022. The club's estimated gross for the 2024–2025 season stood at €23.03 million, reflecting a mid-tier expenditure among top Russian clubs amid constrained international streams. Public funding remains a significant component for many Russian professional clubs, including those with state or military legacies like CSKA, often supplementing commercial earnings to sustain operations. Key investments include the construction of , completed in 2016 at a total cost of approximately $350 million, with Vnesheconombank (VEB) contributing $240 million toward the project initially budgeted lower but escalated due to overruns. The stadium, with a capacity of 30,457 seats, serves as a multi-purpose venue expected to generate around $20 million annually from premium skyboxes and commercial leasing, aiding debt servicing tied to ownership transitions involving VEB, which acquired over 75% of shares in 2019 by converting $240 million in club debt. In the player market, CSKA has pursued targeted acquisitions despite transfer restrictions from sanctions, such as the €11.5 million signing of Chidera Ejuke from Heerenveen in 2020 and a $6 million fixed-fee deal for Henrique Carmo from São Paulo in September 2025, emphasizing youth and South American talent to bolster squad value. Ownership evolved from military control, with the Ministry of Defence divesting shares to Bluecastle Enterprises in 2012, to majority state-linked entities like VEB before recent shifts to TRINFICO, complicating financial transparency amid sanctions targeting entities funding Russia's economy. Pre-sanctions, UEFA prize money contributed €74 million over five years, underscoring lost international revenue potential.

Supporters, Culture, and Rivalries

Fan Demographics and Ultragroups

The supporter base of PFC CSKA Moscow is primarily concentrated in Moscow and central Russia, reflecting the club's historical roots as the Central Sports Club of the Army, with strong affiliations among military personnel, veterans, and individuals emphasizing national pride and discipline. This military heritage fosters a fan demographic that includes serving and former armed forces members, distinguishing CSKA from "people's teams" like Spartak Moscow, whose supporters historically drew from trade unions and civilian workers. While precise statistical breakdowns by age or gender are limited, the overall profile aligns with Russian football fandom: predominantly male, with active support from younger cohorts (teens to 30s) in organized groups and broader appeal to middle-aged patriots via the club's army symbolism. CSKA's fan numbers in Moscow rival or exceed those of rivals Spartak, bolstered by the club's success and institutional ties, though attendance has fluctuated, averaging around 10,000-15,000 per home match in recent seasons at VEB Arena. Ultragroups form the vocal core of CSKA's support, with the Red Blue Warriors (RBW) established as the primary firm in the early 1990s, known for choreographed displays, pyrotechnics, and coordinated chants emphasizing the club's red-and-blue colors and warrior ethos. RBW maintains right-wing political leanings, fostering alliances with like-minded groups such as OFK in and APOEL in , while engaging in rivalries marked by street clashes, particularly against Spartak Moscow's Fratria . Subgroups like Yaroslavka, originating as a regional RBW branch in 1996, focus on away support and hooligan activities, contributing to CSKA's reputation for organized fan mobility and occasional violence. These groups have faced scrutiny for far-right , with some members joining volunteer militias like the Española Battalion in the conflict, drawing from hooligan networks across Russian clubs. Despite such incidents, RBW emphasizes loyalty to CSKA's military legacy, producing large tifos and sustaining presence even amid post-2022 geopolitical restrictions on international travel.

Key Rivalries and Derbies

The principal rivalry for PFC CSKA Moscow is with Spartak Moscow, forming the Main Moscow Derby, which has been regarded as the most intense and principled confrontation in the for decades. This fixture originated on June 1, 1922, with Spartak securing a 4-2 victory over CSKA in their inaugural encounter, establishing a competitive dynamic rooted in contrasting institutional identities: CSKA as the army-affiliated club symbolizing military discipline, versus Spartak as the "people's team" representing broader societal elements. Matches have frequently featured high stakes, with notable incidents including a five-minute halt due to crowd disturbances during Spartak's 3-1 win on October 29, 2016. Another significant Moscow derby pits CSKA against , though it carries less historical animosity than the Spartak clash. This rivalry stems from the clubs' shared capital-city status and Soviet-era ties—Dynamo linked to —but has produced balanced results, exemplified by Dynamo's edge in recent head-to-heads since 2004, where they secured 21 victories to CSKA's 16 across 52 games. Encounters like Dynamo's 1-3 home defeat to CSKA on August 17, 2025, underscore ongoing competitiveness within the city's "big four" framework. Beyond Moscow, CSKA maintains regional tensions with clubs like Lokomotiv Moscow, tied to railway workers, but these lack the derby fervor of intra-capital matchups; nationally, clashes with evoke broader league rivalries amid title pursuits. Fan violence has occasionally intensified these games, as seen in broader contexts, though CSKA's military heritage influences supporter dynamics without dominating post-Soviet narratives.

Traditions, Nicknames, and Social Impact

PFC CSKA Moscow bears several nicknames tied to its historical and visual identity. "Koni" (Horses) originates from the club's early facilities located on the site of former royal stables and a track in , a reference preserved in the club's featuring a mounted . "Krasno-sinie" ( and ) reflects the team's traditional kit colors of red and blue, while "Armeytsy" (Army Men) underscores its longstanding association with the Russian military. In Western contexts, it is often called the "" team due to its Soviet-era links to the Armed Forces . Club traditions stem from its military foundations, established in 1911 as part of the Russian Empire's sports societies and later integrated into the Soviet Army's structure. These include an emphasis on discipline and collective effort, mirroring armed forces values, with the horseman logo evoking cavalry heritage. During the Soviet period, CSKA served as a platform to demonstrate military athletic prowess, producing athletes who advanced national prestige in competitions. Although formal military conscription of players ended in 2009, the club's identity retains symbolic ties to patriotism and physical conditioning. Socially, CSKA has shaped Russian football culture by representing institutional power and national pride, particularly among military-affiliated demographics. Its success, including multiple league titles and European campaigns, has influenced youth participation in sports and fostered a fanbase emphasizing and intensity. However, the club's supporter culture has faced scrutiny for incidents of and , reflecting broader challenges in Russian football groups, though these do not define its overall contributions to domestic sporting development.

Controversies and Incidents

Fan Violence and Discrimination Cases

CSKA Moscow supporters have been implicated in multiple incidents of violence and discrimination, particularly racism, leading to sanctions from and the . In October 2013, opened a disciplinary case against the club following racist chants directed at Manchester City players during a Champions League match on October 23, where referee Ovidiu Hategan reported monkey noises and abuse. The club faced further penalties in 2014 after a series of racist and violent episodes, including the partial closure of their stadium for a Europa League game against Fiorentina and a full fan ban for Champions League group stage home matches. cited a "zero-tolerance policy" toward such behavior, though CSKA officials denied the extent of the abuse in some instances. Racist incidents continued into 2015, with CSKA ordered to close six sections of their stadium after fans abused supporters with death threats and discriminatory chants during a July 25 match. Anti-discrimination monitors like documented over 200 such cases across Russian football that year, including CSKA's, often targeting players or fans of non-Slavic appearance. In April 2018, investigated potential racist behavior by CSKA fans during an Europa League tie against , though the club dismissed claims as "slander" amid broader scrutiny ahead of the . These events reflect patterns in Russian ultras culture, where xenophobic elements have persisted despite club efforts like CSKA Against Racism, founded by supporter Robert Ustian to counter violent fringes. Violence among CSKA hooligans has frequently erupted in clashes with . On March 5, 2017, during a match against Zenit St. Petersburg, CSKA and Zenit supporters fought in the stands, involving punches and thrown objects, exacerbating concerns over organized in . Similar brawls occurred on streets ahead of derbies, such as in 2018, where police intervened in pre-match skirmishes between CSKA and Spartak fans. In July 2018, three CSKA-affiliated hooligans were detained after a deadly brawl outside a train station that killed a man, highlighting the lethal risks of fan firm rivalries. authorities responded with mass arrests, including over 200 hooligans banned from matches before the , though enforcement has been criticized as inconsistent. CSKA's military ties have not insulated fans from these issues, with neo-Nazi elements documented in some groups contributing to both and .

Doping Allegations and Disciplinary Actions

In November 2009, defenders and Aleksei Berezutsky tested positive for the banned substance following a match against Manchester United on November 3. The players were provisionally suspended, prompting speculation about the club's participation in the competition, but UEFA's disciplinary panel ruled the violation unintentional, stemming from over-the-counter medication, and imposed only one-match bans on each player while clearing to advance. No further sanctions were applied to the club, distinguishing the case from deliberate performance enhancement. In September 2016, CSKA midfielder , a Finnish international, tested positive for metabolites after a match against Panathinaikos on August 25. provisionally suspended him from all football activities, and in , a disciplinary panel imposed a two-year ban, citing the substance's prohibition under World Anti-Doping Agency rules regardless of performance-enhancing intent. Eremenko appealed, but the upheld the full ban in July 2017, rejecting claims of accidental ingestion and noting the test confirmed recent use. The incident drew attention amid broader scrutiny of Russian sports but was treated as an individual violation without club-level penalties. These cases represent isolated player-level incidents rather than systemic doping within , with no evidence of institutional involvement emerging from or WADA investigations. The 2009 event involved a common , while Eremenko's cocaine detection raised questions of recreational use, though both triggered standard anti-doping protocols without escalating to team disqualifications.

Geopolitical Bans and Sanctions Effects

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and suspended all Russian national and club teams, including PFC CSKA Moscow, from participating in their competitions until further notice. This decision prevented CSKA Moscow from qualifying for or competing in or Europa League matches despite domestic league performance that would otherwise have entitled it to entry, such as its third-place finish in the . CSKA Moscow, alongside other top Russian clubs like Zenit St. Petersburg, appealed the bans to the (CAS) in May 2022, arguing the exclusions violated principles of neutrality and proportionality. The appeals were dismissed on July 15, 2022, with CAS upholding and UEFA's authority to implement the measures in response to the invasion. The bans have persisted, barring Russian clubs from the 2025–26 as confirmed after the qualifying draws. Western sanctions compounded these sporting exclusions, targeting CSKA Moscow's ownership by , a state development corporation sanctioned by the , , and for financing Russia's military actions. This led to transfer payment disputes, notably with West Ham United, which could not remit the remaining €10 million (approximately £13.5 million) installment for Vlašić's 2021 transfer due to sanctions regime restrictions. In June 2025, CAS ruled in CSKA's favor, ordering payment despite the sanctions, citing no direct government interference in the private contract. FIFA imposed an additional transfer ban on effective , , prohibiting incoming and outgoing registrations for three windows until summer , in response to violations of player release rules amid the geopolitical ; this was lifted earlier than anticipated following remedial actions. Broader effects included challenges in retaining or attracting foreign players and coaches, with FIFA's temporary rules allowing contracts to be suspended by Ukrainian and Russian clubs until June , though CSKA pursued high-profile hires like Swiss coach Fabio Celestini in June , raising potential sanctions compliance issues in . These restrictions have reduced international revenue and exposure, forcing reliance on domestic markets despite active internal transfers.

Records and Statistics

Individual Goalscoring and Appearance Leaders

holds the record for the most appearances for PFC CSKA Moscow, with 809 matches across all official competitions as of 2025. The long-serving , who debuted in 2003, has been a mainstay since 2005, contributing to multiple league titles and cups during his one-club career. Grigory Fedotov is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 149 goals between 1938 and 1949, including during the Soviet era's formative years for CSKA. Brazilian forward ranks second with 124 goals in 259 appearances from 2004 to 2013 (with a brief return).
Top GoalscorersGoalsPeriod
Grigory Fedotov1491938–1949
1242004–2013
Top AppearancesMatchesPeriod
8092003–present
These records reflect totals in domestic leagues, cups, and European competitions, though Soviet-era statistics may vary slightly due to archival differences in match classifications.

Team Milestones and Streaks

secured its most prominent international milestone by winning the on 18 May 2005, defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final at in , with goals from , , and ; this marked the first major European trophy claimed by any Russian club. In the preceding 2004–05 domestic season, the team completed a rare treble by also capturing the title and the Russian , a feat achieved under manager . The club has amassed six championships, specifically in the 2004–05, 2005–06, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16 seasons, alongside nine Russian victories, the most recent on 1 June 2025 against in a 1–0 win after a 0–0 draw. Soviet-era dominance included seven national league titles, highlighted by three consecutive championships from 1946 to 1948, establishing the club as a post-World War II powerhouse. Notable streaks encompass consecutive domestic successes, such as back-to-back titles in 2012–13 and 2013–14, and a pair of wins in 2006 and 2007. In league play, CSKA recorded an unbeaten streak of 13 matches during the 2016–17 season, contributing to their competitive standing that year. The 2004–05 campaign featured an initial run of six consecutive league victories, including four clean sheets, underscoring the team's early momentum en route to the treble.

European Coefficient and Ranking History

PFC CSKA Moscow's UEFA club coefficient, calculated based on performances in UEFA competitions over the preceding five seasons, peaked in the late following strong showings in the and UEFA Cup. The club's 2004–05 UEFA Cup triumph, defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final on May 18, 2005, contributed significantly to elevated points accumulation, alongside subsequent Champions League group stage participations. By the 2017–18 UEFA 5-year ranking, CSKA held the 35th position overall, reflecting consistent qualification and results including a round-of-16 appearance in the 2009–10 Champions League where they advanced past Manchester United in the group stage before elimination by Sevilla. Subsequent seasons saw variable results, with group stage exits in the Champions League (2011–12, 2015–16) and Europa League campaigns maintaining moderate coefficients. However, UEFA's suspension of Russian clubs from international competitions, effective February 28, 2022, amid geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of , halted further participation after the 2021–22 Europa League group stage. This exclusion has caused a steady decline as prior points expire without replacement. As of the 2025 UEFA 5-year club ranking, CSKA possesses 3.000 points, derived from limited activity in the 2018–19 to 2021–22 periods (including 0 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in recent tracked matches), positioning them 333rd among European clubs. Their 10-year , incorporating the 2015–16 to 2024–25 span, ranks 69th, underscoring longer-term contributions before the ban. The ongoing inactivity projects a further drop to 3.660 for the 2026–27 access list.

Affiliated Entities

CSKA Women's Football Team

The women's football team of PFC CSKA Moscow, officially WFC CSKA (ЖФК ЦСКА), was established in 2016 and debuted in the Russian Women's Football Championship's top division that season. The team quickly integrated into the club's multi-sport structure, playing home matches at the CSKA Training Center and benefiting from shared resources with the men's professional squad. In its inaugural competitive year, CSKA finished fourth in the league but secured its first major honor by winning the Russian Women's Cup on September 24, 2017, defeating Chertanovo 1–0 in the final. CSKA has since emerged as a dominant force in Russian women's football, capturing multiple domestic titles amid a competitive landscape featuring clubs like Zenit St. Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow. The team clinched the Russian Women's Football Championship in (with 18 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 52 goals while conceding 8) and repeated as champions in 2020, qualifying for its European debut in the 2020–21 . Further successes include the league title alongside another Cup win, forming a domestic double, and additional Cup victories in 2022 and 2023. On June 8, 2024, CSKA claimed its first Russian Women's Super Cup, defeating the prior season's champions in a after a 1–1 draw. The club's offensive prowess has been led by players like Ksenia Tsybutovich, the top scorer with 11 goals, and Nadezhda Smirnova, who recorded 9 assists that year. In October 2025, CSKA won its fourth Russian Women's Cup, beating Zenit 2–1 in the final on October 12, solidifying its status as the competition's most successful recent participant. European campaigns have included group stage appearances in the in 2020–21 and 2021–22, though the team has yet to advance beyond early rounds amid broader geopolitical restrictions on Russian clubs since 2022. As of late 2025, CSKA remains a top contender in the , drawing on a mix of domestic talent and international recruits while operating under the club's heritage and professional management.

Reserve, Youth, and Academy Teams

PFC CSKA Moscow maintains a robust youth development infrastructure through its Football (Akademiya PFC CSKA), which oversees for players from early ages up to senior integration. The system includes multiple age-group teams, with the Sports (YSS) directing 12 squads divided into elder (born 2002–2004) and junior (born 2005–2006 and younger) categories, emphasizing technical skill, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning under director Oleg Kornaukhov. The club's reserve outfit, PFC CSKA Moscow II (also referred to as CSKA Moscow Reserves or U21/U19 team), competes primarily in Russia's M-Liga Division A for U19 players, serving as a bridge to the senior squad. Established to nurture prospects, the team has achieved notable success, clinching the Russian U19 Championship in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024, while securing bronze medals in the 2023 season after finishing third in the league standings. In the 2025 season, as of October, the reserves hold a competitive position in the table, trailing leaders Zenit St. Petersburg Youth and Krasnodar Youth. The academy has produced several high-profile talents who progressed to the first team and international recognition, including goalkeeper , who entered the system at age seven in 1996 and debuted for the seniors in 2003, accumulating over 540 appearances by 2025. Defenders Vasiliy Berezutskiy (531 appearances) and Aleksey Berezutskiy, twin brothers from the youth ranks, anchored the backline for nearly two decades, contributing to multiple league titles. Other graduates like Sergey Ignashevich (541 games) highlight the program's strength in developing defensive specialists. Recent academy outputs have supported senior team transitions, with young midfielders and forwards integrated amid rebuilding phases post-2020. Facilities at the club's training complex provide advanced support, including and medical resources, fostering a pathway where approximately 20% of senior squad members originate from internal development.

References

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