'That's Wrong': Safonov on Meeting Wife and Football Ban
Marina lives in Paris with her husband
In July, footballer Matvey Safonov and his wife Marina Kondratyuk returned to Russia to share details of their relationship with the public. Here«s the key takeaway on how they met and got married, plus secrets of their happy life together.
Safonov began communication with the woman through friendly messages
The couple currently lives in Paris, where Safonov plays for PSG. However, on 19 July they appeared in Moscow at a lecture hall during VK-Fest. The talk took place at the ATOM museum — and there wasn«t an empty seat left. Fans of the athlete filled every spot and crowded behind the barrier.
The couple laughed frequently during the interview
The host then began the conversation — and the spouses spent an hour answering her questions.
A full hall turned out to see the athlete
How did the couple meet?
Marina revealed she picks out her husband«s wardrobe herself
Marina used to work as a flight attendant — and an online rumor long circulated that Matvey fell for her on a plane. However, the woman explained that wasn«t the case. They were on the same flight, and other footballers on it were »giggling and flirting.« But Matvey was so quiet that Marina didn»t even remember him.
Safonov pledged support for any interview focusing on his wife rather than his football career
The footballer found her on social media and wrote much later — after she had already left aviation. They exchanged messages for a while, and gradually the friendly communication grew into something more.
Marina enjoys inventing insults for haters
«At some point I just realized I»d fallen in love. I enjoy being with this person so much that I want to be with them all the time,« explained Matvey. »But it started with friendly chats. We talked and joked for a long time. On the plane, the only thing I heard from Marina was: «Would you like chicken or fish?»«
What happened at the year«s most talked-about wedding
How did they start dating?
The most striking moments from Matvey Safonov«s wedding
Marina admitted there wasn«t really any dating period in their relationship.
«We didn»t date — he immediately asked me to move in together,« she said.
According to her, life with a sports star looks just like ordinary family life. The couple argues over scattered socks and other little things, but always makes up quickly. Matvey is always the first to reconcile.
«And I never resist when he comes to make up. I just say: »Meow,«» Marina joked playfully.
Somewhat less playfully, she added she«s ready to »sell his computer for 50 rubles (about $0.60)« — because Matvey often plays games. She also revealed she sometimes gets jealous of her famous husband. Matvey, meanwhile, has a »fully atrophied« sense of jealousy — he»s confident in himself and fully trusts his wife.
What about football?
Marina never brings up football first. She«s also forbidden from giving interviews about her husband»s or his teammates« play.
«That»s out of the question, and I understand it,« she said.
Matvey explained the ban didn«t come from nowhere. For quite a while, journalists tried to ask Marina only about football — and it irritated him that interviews with his wife contained nothing about her herself.
«That»s wrong. Why are they asking her questions they want to ask me? And I said she doesn«t need to go to interviews about football,» the athlete shared. «Marisha knows it»s better not to start a conversation about football with me. But she always listens when I need to talk about my game, my emotions. Because if I need to share that with someone — I share it with my closest person.«
But Marina does respond to her husband«s haters. She often quarrels with them online — and has promised to keep defending him on social media.
Who wears the pants in the family?
When answering this question, the spouses hesitated — then agreed they«re both in charge. The couple has divided responsibilities and organizes life together.
«We exist in a symbiosis where each person is responsible for their own domain. Of course, I»m more focused on my profession; I need to concentrate on the game. And there«s no one with better organizational skills than my wife. I really value her, value her strengths and the fact that I can entrust her with my affairs,» Matvey admitted.
He also helped his wife promote her brand — so she could work and be independent.
«I feel Marisha is no longer just a »footballer«s wife»; she«s a distinct personality, and I help her realize herself. I»m the first person who will always tell her: «Of course, let»s do it,«» Safonov explained.
He also talked about how they prepared for the wedding — and what Natalia Vodianova had to do with it. As for the wedding itself, we covered it in full detail.
