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Tietosuojaseloste
Professional football demands total commitment. Training sessions, matches, recovery, travel, and the constant pursuit of improvement leaves some room for something else. For many players, the question of what comes next is never far away.
For Evgenii Bashkirov, education has become an important part of preparing for the future while continuing his journey in Finnish football and playing in Gnistan, a Finnish top-level team. Through his studies at Johan Cruyff Institute, Bashkirov is combining elite sport with professional development, a path that is now more accessible to Finnish players through the new collaboration between the Football Players' Association of Finland (FPA Finland) and Johan Cruyff Institute (JCI) based in Netherlands.
Bashkirov, a central midfielder born in 1991, played last season 30 league matches for Gnistan and scored three goals. Ahead of the current season, Gnistan announced that their captain had suffered a serious knee injury, with the club indicating that his season was likely over. While rehabilitation has become part of his daily routine, Bashkirov has also been able to dedicate time to developing skills that will benefit him long after his playing career ends. Continuing his education through JCI is an investment not only in his future career, but also in his development as a person.
Modern football careers can be unpredictable. Injuries, transfers, and the eventual transition out of professional sport mean that players increasingly recognize the value of education alongside their playing careers.
For Bashkirov, studying while still competing at the highest level in Finland represents an opportunity to prepare for future challenges while gaining perspectives that can already be applied in football today.
- Football has taught me many things about discipline, teamwork and leadership. Education gives me another perspective and helps me understand the wider modern sports industry. The game itself is fascinating, but I believe players should use their career not only to grow as players, but also as professionals and personalities, Bashkirov says.
Johan Cruyff Institute has become a popular choice for athletes around the world because its programs are designed to fit around the demanding schedules of elite sportspeople.
For Bashkirov, the flexibility of online learning has been one of the key benefits.
Q: What motivated you to start studying while continuing your football career?
A: I finished my bachelor's degree diploma many years ago, when I was a part of a youth environment and just took my first steps in professional football. I was going to start a master’s degree but then I signed another professional contract, and it wasn’t possible to continue my studies remotely. Since that time, I had constant desire to catch another opportunity, and JCI online master’s program was a match for my situation. Generally, education for me was always a synergy between receiving knowledge, creating new paths, and connecting with people.
Q: Has your football experience helped you in your studies?
A: Of course, my experience as a professional footballer sometimes allows me to be closer to the topics under discussion and to know certain specifics of how the sports department and managers interact within football clubs. However, the entire program curriculum and its individual modules are designed to take a broader view - certainly not from inside the locker room, rather from a completely different perspective on the various processes that take place beyond the pitch. This is an important part of my own analysis of how a football club operates and of shaping my thoughts on potential future projects in football.
Through the new partnership, FPA Finland members can access exclusive study opportunities, including discounts on selected Johan Cruyff Institute programs as well as information about scholarships and educational resources.
The collaboration also opens doors beyond education. Johan Cruyff Institute's talent and internship programs allow students to gain practical experience in the sports industry, while webinars and knowledge-sharing initiatives create opportunities for professional growth and networking.
For players considering their future, the message is clear: preparing for life after football does not have to wait until retirement.
Combining professional football and education is not always easy. Success requires planning, commitment and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge in combining studies and football?
A: This season in general was quite intensive for me and required focus and discipline. At the moment I’m recovering from the surgery, so in parallel with the studies its intensive process overall. Yes, the program offers flexibility, as learning takes place online, but there are enough modules to keep you fully occupied from one reporting period to another. At the same time, I’d say that with the right attitude and discipline, studying happens playfully, like a good weekly cycle followed by a matchday.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about the experience?
A: Whole the process itself. New people, different points of view, lots of active discussion and very inspired professors. Live sessions are motivating and boundary-expanding. Study materials provided by JCI are closely aligned with the specific topics we discuss, and the entire academic process is organized very professionally and with a positive environment. Also, the Institute organizes a study trip once a year, which includes three days fulfilled by offline meetings, lectures, and conferences in various sporting venues.
As conversations around player welfare and career transitions become increasingly important, more athletes are exploring educational opportunities while still competing. Bashkirov believes there has never been a better time to start.
Q: What would you say to other players who are thinking about studying?
A: Don’t hesitate. Life is constant education and there are many ways to see the industry deeper, which can help to formulate your own personality later, when you will mostly need it.
The collaboration between FPA Finland and the Johan Cruyff Institute aims to give players in Finland more tools to succeed both during and after their sporting careers. Former Finnish national team captain Niklas Moisander (club career includes for example Ajax, Werder Bremen, Sampdoria, Malmö) has also studied at JCI.
- From September 2025 until June 2026, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma through Johan Cruyff Institute as an online program. It immediately felt interesting to me because everything was related to sport or football, Moisander says.
For Bashkirov, the experience is proof that education and elite football can go hand in hand:
- Football careers eventually come to an end, but learning never does. The more knowledge and experience you gain along the way, the better prepared you will be for whatever you want to achieve next.
Learn more about the partnership of FPA Finland and Johan Cruyff Institute
Pictures: Juha Tamminen
Oravannahkatori 1, 02120 Espoo | www.jpy.fi
Tietosuojaseloste