Vitali Rodionov

Vitali Rodionov is a striker for BATE Borisov. He was born on 11 December 1983 in Vitebsk, Belarus.

Vitali is one of the best forwards in Belarus since 2010. He began playing football in his native Vitebsk, and played for several local sports schools. Much later, when the forward’s career was at its peak, he was nicknamed Professor for his mature and calculated style of play.

Rodionov’s professional career started in 2001 at Lokomotiv-96 Vitebsk. There he participated in 49 national championship games, but scored only six goals.

Vitali managed to fully realize his scoring potential at Torpedo Zhodino. The forward played for club from 2003 to 2005, scoring 21 goals in 57 matches.

In 2006, when Rodionov was one of the best forwards in the Belarusian Premier League, he moved to the camp of the flagship club of Belarusian football – FC BATE. There the striker almost immediately became one of the cornerstones of the attacking line, and his excellent performance attracted the attention of SC Freiburg.

As part of the German club Rodionov won Second Bundesliga, but despite 4 goals in 12 games decided to return to Borisov.

Vitali Rodionov is one of the players, who for several seasons in a row provided BATE with access to the group stage of the Champions League and Europa League. His strikes brought modest club from a district center victories over formidable European giants. At present, he has made over 150 appearances and netted over 60 goals for BATE.

The forward is a multiple winner of the Belarusian championships, winner of the Belarusian Cup and the Supercup, Best Forward in the Belarusian Premier League.

From 2002 to 2005 Vitali Rodionov played for Belarus U-21 team. Since 2007 he is a regular at the national team of Belarus, totaling over 30 caps and 6 goals so far.