Ravshan Irmatov to champion youths: "Don’t catch star syndrome; fame has no friends!"

Ravshan Irmatov, First Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Football Association, met with the Uzbekistan U-17 national team, winners of the Asian Championship. Coaches, players, and their parents also participated in the meeting.

Beginning his speech with a request, Irmatov called on young players to learn from history and avoid repeating mistakes made by previous generations.

"I have just one request for you. We have our own history and examples of footballers who previously achieved great results in such tournaments. We saw how some players, having succeeded at the World Championships and received cars as gifts, got distracted by driving cars and acquiring various friends, resulting in missed training sessions. Remember: fame has no friends. If such false friends appear around you, immediately remove them from your life," said Irmatov.

He emphasized that an athlete's first duty is constant work and training, and their time should not be spent on parties or unnecessary events:

"We are athletes, and we must not waste time. To achieve any goal, you have to sacrifice something. Every minute counts; time passes quickly, and we must value it."

The UFA First Vice-President stressed that only good preparation can lead to greater success in the future:

"Sooner or later, you will become great footballers. Perhaps you will even have your own planes, but even reaching such heights, never let your feet leave the ground. Never become arrogant; always remain humble. Only then will God open paths for you. If you act prudently, follow your coach's tactics and advice, you will never go wrong. You've already shown spiritual strength on the field. If you prepare for future competitions with the same spirit, nobody can stop you," Irmatov added.

Recall that the Uzbekistan youth team defeated Saudi Arabia 2:0 in the Asian Championship final, securing the title. Notably, two players from Islombek Ismoilov’s team received red cards at the end of the first half. Nevertheless, in the second half, the youth displayed strong willpower and scored twice against their opponents. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!