Pavel Pogrebnyak was married to a jaw-dropping millionaire WAG and holds a record even Erling Haaland can't touch - but his dream life is now in tatters
Maria Shatalova is the ex-wife of Pavel Pogrebnyak (Image: mariapoga_/Instagram)
Erling Haaland is a defender's worst nightmare.
The big Norwegian seems to be able to score at will for Manchester City, smashing records into history every Saturday or Sunday - but there's one record he can never topple, and that belongs to Pavel Pogrebnyak.
The big Russian scored five goals in his opening three Premier League games for Fulham on loan, a feat even Haaland didn't match. However, it wasn't all plain sailing from then on for Pogrebnyak, who turns 41 today (November 8), and he would go on to only score six more goals in the English top flight, leaving Craven Cottage for Reading.
Having started his career with impressive stints at Zenit Saint Petersburg and VfB Stuttgart, at least away from the pitch when the goals dried up in England and subsequently with Dynamo Moscow, he could console himself by cosying up with a stunning Russian millionaire.
Pogrebnyak was involved in a marriage saga with his long-term partner Maria, with the pair meeting as children and starting to seeing each other when they were 17. The loved-up duo even starred in a 'Meet the Russians' documentary back in 2013, which saw her shoot to fame.
The premise was to lift the lid on wealthy Russians living in London. "It is more about my wife," he said. "I'm just a little bit-part of this thing. I was asked about going on and I thought, why not? It would be a good experience. A lot of players who stopped playing football are now on TV."
However, a couple of years down the line, Maria was once forced to hit out in the Russian media after reports they had split. She said: "He said he didn’t want to. We have a completely normal relationship. Everything inside our family, we don't want to discuss.
Maria Shatalova starred on a reality show called Meet the Russians (Image: mariapoga_/Instagram)
"Don’t get in my bed! We don’t have a scandal, we live in the same territory. And what will happen next – I myself will share with everyone.”
She added: "People tell me: 'Masha, you haven’t seen life.' What do they mean that I haven’t seen life? That I did not have a bunch of men or did not go clubbing all the time?
"Grandma would always tell me: 'You should not jump from one man to another, if you fall in love then it should be one person for the rest of your life'."
However, in September 2023 the pair did go their separate ways - ending their eight year marriage in Moscow when a divorce was finalised. Their children went to live with Maria and a court determined they would not share property.
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. When Gerrard meet "Pong Kapol" The legend On this day / Do you remember this goal? Jack Grealish left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad JUST APPRECIATE THE GOATNESS The GREATEST SUPER SUB of All Time is.. Cristiano Ronaldo at 40 vs Wayne Rooney at 38… Only in India Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoon...
Jaw-dropping reporter Simona Leskovska turned heads as she appeared at the U21 Euros in a dress that left fans stunned and was joined pitchside by her Serie A-winning partnerStunning reporter Simona Leskovska turned heads at the U21 Euros in an eye-catching outfit.The 30-year-old brunette beauty is working as a reporter at the tournament in her native Slovakia and has captured the imagination of f...
Brazilian football icon Neymar has wowed fans on social media with his bold outfit choice that cost as much as a small family carNeymar flexed the outfit on InstagramFootball legend Neymar has been torn off a strip by fans after sharing pics of his bizarre pink party outfit online that cost as much as a family car.The Brazilian Santos star got togged up in the furry kit assembled from some of the ...
FOOTBALLER Kieran Trippier has confirmed his marriage is over for good.The Newcastle United player broke his silence on their split after The Sun revealed his new mystery woman.Kieran Trippier with his estranged wife CharlotteKieran was snapped with his arm around Chloe Ferry in IbizaKieran was spotted with his arm around ChloeKieran, 34, partied with Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, 29, at Ibiz...
The late Kim Woodburn famously had to be held back by security in the Celebrity Big Brother house after an explosive argument with Jamie O'Hara, which saw her call him an "adulterer"Kim Woodburn slammed Jamie O'Hara as an "adulterer"The late Kim Woodburn once blasted former Premier League star Jamie O’Hara in an explosive Celebrity Big Brother row that has gone down in reality TV history.Woo...
AN INFLUENCER linked with Lamine Yamal has revealed she has received sickening death threats.Fati Vazquez, 30, reportedly spent a weekend with the Barcelona star, sparking rumours of a romantic relationship.Fati Vazquez was seen on holiday seemingly in the same spot at the Barcelona starShe has almost 400,000 followers on InstagramPictures shared on Instagram by the pair, three days apart and veri...
DAZN presenter Eleonora Incardona stole the show at the Club World Cup.Incardona, 34, works as a touchline reporter for their coverage of Serie A.Eleonora Incardona stunned as she hosted the Club World CupThe Italian works as a touchline reporter for DaznShe also blew a kiss to her 1.2 million followersBut the TV star has joined the broadcaster for its coverage of the new-look tournament.And durin...
KIERAN Trippier's mystery woman has been revealed as Geordie Shore's Chloe Ferry.Insiders said the reality TV star partied with the Newcastle United footballer at Ibiza nightclub Ushuaia last week.A source added: "Chloe and her friends were introduced to Kieran and his mates and they partied together."Kieran was very tactile and put his arm around her when they were together at the club."Chloe is ...
BRUNETTE beauty Simona Leskovska is turning heads at the Under-21s Euros.The 30-year-old is working as a reporter at the tournament in her native Slovakia.Simona has been spotted pitchside on presenting duties in a range of bold outfits at the Euros so far.Her 206,000 Instagram followers have been in for a treat as she wowed in a stylish white dress before Slovakia's 1-0 defeat to Italy on Saturda...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 7 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 10 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body