Valeri Vikentyevich Minko (; born 8 August 1971) is a former association footballer who played defender and now head coach.

He capped for USSR U-20 team at 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Valeri Minko

In 1993, he was subjected to nephrectomy after being injured when playing a 1994 U-21 European Championship qualifying game against Greece (1–1). Nevertheless, he decided to continue his career with one kidney remaining and played over 200 games after his injury. Now he is considered by CSKA fans as one of symbols of courage and team spirit.

Valeri Minko

External links

Valery Minko's 1999 interview

1971 births

Living people

Footballers from Barnaul

Soviet men's footballers

Soviet Union men's youth international footballers

Soviet Union men's under-21 international footballers

Russian men's footballers

Russia men's under-21 international footballers

Russia men's international footballers

Russian football managers

FC Dynamo Barnaul players

PFC CSKA Moscow players

Soviet Top League players

Russian Premier League players

FC Kuban Krasnodar players

Men's association football defenders

Valeri Minko