Matvey Safonov

About

Matvey Yevgenyevich Safonov (also spelled Matvei Safonov; Russian: Матвей Евгеньевич Сафонов; born 25 February 1999) is a Russian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Russia national team. He has been described by media sources as a penalty specialist.
Coming through the team’s youth system, Safonov began his career with FC Krasnodar in 2017. After seven years with Krasnodar, Safonov moved to Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain in June 2024 for a transfer fee of €20 million, where he won the UEFA Champions League as part of a treble in 2025. After winning the starting spot in the following season, Safonov won another Champions League as part of a double in 2026.
Internationally, Safonov made his debut for Russia in 2021, and was subsequently included in the Russian squad for UEFA Euro 2020.

Safonov was born in Stavropol. His father, Yevgeny Safonov, was a basketball player and later worked as a youth coach at Lokomotiv Kuban, while his mother, Lidiya, was not involved in professional sport. His family lived in several cities, including Maykop and Volgograd, before settling in Krasnodar by the time…