Tanks, classics, and French: how the victor of the championship, Matvey Safonov, relaxes himself.

Tanks, classics, and French culture: How Matvey Safonov relaxes after his triumphs in the Champions League

The second season with Paris Saint-Germain was a complete triumph for Matvey Safonov. Not only did the Russian goalkeeper establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, but he also added titles as French champion and a victory in the Champions League to his collection. However, outside of the field, the champion prefers to switch between different activities. His method of recovery isn’t based on standard football routines.

In an informal survey organized by his wife, Safonov honestly listed his priorities. Football was only ranked as a priority in 3 out of 10 categories. This wasn’t due to disdain for the profession, but rather a conscious need to relieve mental stress. Computer games ranked highest among his hobbies. Safonov enjoys playing games like “Tanks World” and values it greatly as a way to relieve stress and improve his tactical thinking. Reading Russian classics received a high score of 9 out of 10. Learning French also ranked highly among his hobbies. Although Safonov already has a good grasp of the language, he continues to improve his skills.

This combination of hobbies fits perfectly into the psychology of a top goalkeeper. Strategic games help improve decision-making skills. Classical literature helps maintain concentration and emotional stability. Language practice helps maintain cognitive flexibility. This isn’t just leisure activity, but rather part of a professional athlete’s well-being.

While fans and experts analyze his statistics and results, Safonov shows that a champion’s character isn’t just developed on the training field, but also in quiet moments spent reading books or playing virtual games. This balance seems to be one of the keys to his success in Paris.