It is not often possible to meet a football player who has devoted his best sports years to one club. Such a player is Vladimir Dolgopolov. “Zenith” for him has always been a native team, even after completing a career. He actively participated in the life of his native club.
Carier start
Vladimir Dolgopolov in childhood was first engaged in gymnastics and swimming. But after he began to play football in the sports school Zenit. His first children’s trainers were V. A. Kolesnikov and Yu. A. Morozov. Together with his children's team, Vladimir Dolgopolov won the championship of the USSR. This defender was immediately noticed by the Zenit coaches and took him into the main team. Vladimir began to play for this sports club in the second half of the 1979 season. The following year, this player entered the field 20 times. The team “Zenith” at the end of the season took 3rd place in the championship. For Vladimir, this award was the first. In 1984, Vladimir Dolgopolov, together with his team, won the USSR championship. He made a great contribution to the victory of the St. Petersburg team.
As part of the St. Petersburg club, this defender made his debut in European competition. In total, Dolgopolov spent 299 games. He performed in a shirt under the 7th number. Basically, Vladimir played as a defender, but also could play in the supporting zone.
Military service and return to the Zenith club
In 1988, this defender had to suspend his football career. He was drafted into the army. Vladimir spent about 4 months serving in the border troops near Vyborg. But after his military service was held in Moscow Dynamo. In 1989, Vladimir Dolgopolov again returned to his native Zenith. Over the two years spent in it, this talented defender played 50 matches. After Vladimir made a decision to move to the Finnish club "VIFK". This team played in the 3rd championship of Finland on football. In the 1993-1994 season played 9 games for the Estonian club Tevalt. In 1995, briefly performed as part of the Armenian team "Kapan-81".
Dolgopolov Vladimir (soccer player) after his return to St. Petersburg tried himself in futsal. Then he became a manager at Adamant. But after he returned to his native sport again. From 2007 to 2009, Vladimir was the head of work with fans of the Zenit club. And since 2009, he became a veteran manager for his home club.
Personal life
Dolgopolov Vladimir (soccer player) was twice married. With his first wife, Marina, he lived for 9 years. This couple did not have children. With his second wife, Natalia, this football player was married for 23 years. They had a daughter, Daria. In 2014, the second wife Natalya was found dead in an apartment. She died from her injuries. After her death, long trials began. Vladimir was taken into custody.
Criminal case
In 2014, Dolgopolov began a black streak in life. Vladimir was charged and was taken into custody. The public was shocked by the incident and strongly supported the former athlete. According to him, on the day that ended in tragedy, the following events occurred. He called an ambulance early in the morning of September 18. But too much time has passed. The doctors who arrived at the place declared death.
After the wife’s funeral, law enforcement authorities immediately detained a football star. They put forward the version that Dolgopolov and his wife drank alcohol together. There was a quarrel between them, and Vladimir beat his wife in anger. After that, she died from her injuries. This version is confirmed by the fact that she had numerous bruises and broken ribs on her body. The former footballer did not admit his guilt. He claimed that he watched football on TV that day, and then fell asleep. The next morning, Vladimir saw his wife, who showed no signs of life. In his defense, the late father even spoke. Daughter Daria said that she had never seen her father raise a hand to the deceased.
Sentence and subsequent death
In 2016, Vladimir Dolgopolov was detained for 10 years. The verdict indicated that Dolgopolov, while intoxicated, beat his wife with a blunt subject. It was his actions that led to tragic consequences. Despite the appeal, the city court upheld the verdict. But the former athlete was not destined to get into the colony. His health began to deteriorate sharply. As a result, he was hospitalized in a pre-trial detention center hospital. In June, the famous domestic football player died of a stroke. His funeral took place on June 16 at the Volkovsky cemetery.
Vladimir Dolgopolov, whose biography was overshadowed in the last years of his life, will forever remain in the memory of fans of domestic football. His brave game for his native club and for an international team should be an example for the younger generation. Until the end of his life, he remained faithful to football. Despite the tragedy, the fans still remained with their idol.