Aleksandr Dmitrijev
An Estonian football stalwart whose commanding midfield presence earned him over a century of caps for his national team.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Estonian footballer and coach·Birthday: February 16·Millennials
Biography
Aleksandr Dmitrijev's career is a portrait of longevity and unwavering service to Estonian football. A defensive midfielder known for his tough tackling and simple, effective distribution, he became a fixture in the heart of the pitch for both club and country. His club journey took him across the Baltic region and into Scandinavia, with notable spells at Flora Tallinn, Fredrikstad in Norway, and Wisła Kraków in Poland. But it was in the blue, black, and white of the Estonian national team where he left his most indelible mark. For over a decade, Dmitrijev was a near-automatic selection, providing steel and experience in midfield. Even after stepping away from the professional game, his passion kept him playing at the amateur level, a testament to a deep and abiding love for the sport.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aleksandr was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aleksandr Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Aleksandr's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned 106 caps for the Estonian national football team, ranking him among the nation's most-capped players.
- Won the Estonian Meistriliiga championship multiple times with FC Flora Tallinn.
- Played professionally in several European leagues, including Poland's Ekstraklasa with Wisła Kraków and Norway's Eliteserien with Fredrikstad FK.
- Captained FC Flora Tallinn during his tenure at the club.
Did You Know?
He was born in Tallinn, Estonia, when it was still part of the Soviet Union.
He holds the record for the fastest goal in an Estonian Cup final, scoring after just 18 seconds in the 2011 final.
After retiring from professional football, he continued playing for amateur side Tallinna Cosmos.
He began his coaching career while still playing, working with youth teams.
“My job is to win the ball and give it simply to a teammate.”
