It's not often that one gets to travel with their heroes of the sporting world but fans on the FIFA World Cup free train from Moscow to Sochi were in for a pleasant surprise.
Former Russian international Aleksandr Panov, a man in the news for the right as well as wrong reasons for years, decided that free transport was the way to go as he embarked on a 36-hour journey to watch Belgium take on Panama in the quaint seaside town.
“I have a ticket for Belgium vs Panama and I'm in this train because they don't charge any money. My friend booked the tickets and told me about this train so I thought I might as well use it,” was his frank response.
Panov faced a barrage of autograph and photograph-hungry children and he obliged them all with a pleasant smile.
“I do get recognised in many places. Many children took my autograph and photograph early in the day. How do I feel? I feel nothing special because I'm involved in helping kids play football. I played for fans always and that's how it has been.”
His relationship with fans though had seen a bad patch in the recent past.
After his retirement in 2010, having played for the likes of Zenit St Petersburg and Saint Etienne in France, the striker was embroiled in a drug scandal and invited the ire of Zenit faithful after sporting a Spartak Moscow kit during a clash between the two sides a year ago.
Unflustered by the kicking/spitting fans, Panov explained: “There are different emotions to being a fan and a player. It's the sight and emotions that not everyone can understand.
“I am a fan of Spartak but I played for Zenit. It's life and it can change. I started supporting them only for the last two years. Even today it continues.”
Panov's moment in the sun came in 2000 when he scored a brace in Russia's 3-2 victory over the then world champions France in a Euro qualifier.
“For me, that match was very important because it was the second match I played for Russia. And when I go to Stade de France and see 80000 supporters, it was an indescribable feeling.
Despite the nervousness, I managed to be confident and fight stress and took it to my advantage,” he recollected fondly. “It was a big moment in my career. Every player that plays against great foreign teams should treat it like the final game of his life like I did, and it paid off."
