CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev became the best footballer
in Russia and CIS countries and won the Sport Express' Zvezda award-2006.
Akinfeev won Zvezda monthly awards three months in a row - in September,
October and November which made him Zvezda winner in 2006.
The young keeper became the firs Russian player to win the prize as Ukrainian
Andrey Shevchenko took the award both in 2004 and 2005.
Akinfeev was marevelous for CSKA and for Russia and his bright performances
took him ahead of AShevchenko and Arsenal's Alexander Hleb in Zvezda charts.
Shevchenko finished third by 121 points, while Hleb earned 136 and Akinfeev
topped the charts with 141 and, being only 20, became the youngest Zvezda
winner.
"To be honest, I did not believe I could win Zvezda," told Akinfeev
to Sport Express.
"But when I won it three month n a row in Autumn I realized I have
got a chance."
"I am very happy to be voted the best player as it meansd my season
was very successful."
"CSKA won three trophies this season and I won Zvezda - all these
are the results of my hard work during the season."
"It is always hard for the goalkeepers to win personal prizes, and
I know my best performances came in Autumn when I showed good form for
Russia and for CSKA in the Champions League."
"I am sure those games were the reasons for such high marks and for
my Zvezda title."
"It is the most remarkable personal prize in my career, as I could
not even dream about it in childood."
