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Eldor and Bakhtiyor: friends whose paths diverged in different championships...

Eldor and Bakhtiyor: friends whose paths diverged in different championships...

In recent years, one of the most interesting and friendly developments in Central Asian football has been the careers of the captain of the Kazakhstan national team, ethnic Uzbek Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov, and Uzbekistan’s main striker Eldor Shomurodov in different championships. This duo, who created a special atmosphere among fans, first crossed paths in Russia, then in Europe and Turkey, and are once again attracting the attention of sports fans, reports sports.uz.

Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov began his football career at the club "Taraz" and then shone at "Astana". In 2019, he was invited by Russian Premier League club "Rostov" for 115 thousand euros. By that time, Eldor Shomurodov had also become one of Rostov’s leading players. In that season, when representatives of neighboring countries played together, Russian football fans also grew fond of these two talented players.

However, some paths are only meant for one season. In 2020, Bakhtiyor transferred to CSKA Moscow for 2 million euros and became a player for one of Russia’s top clubs. Eldor was transferred to the famous Italian club "Genoa". After that, both footballers continued their careers in different directions.

Over time, Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov moved to the Turkish Super League in Europe, and in 2023 he joined "Beşiktaş" for 4.5 million euros. Meanwhile, the attention of the football community was drawn to young Uzbek talent Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who moved from Pakhtakor to CSKA Moscow. In his interviews, Fayzullaev has repeatedly mentioned that it was Bakhtiyor who provided him with great support during his early days in Moscow.

One of life’s unexpected coincidences is that Eldor Shomurodov, after five years in Serie A, also moved to the Turkish Super League. "Istanbul Basaksehir" loaned the 30-year-old striker from "Roma" for one season with the option to buy.

At the same time, Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov returned from "Beşiktaş" to Russia’s "Dynamo Moscow" for 2.8 million euros. Interestingly, when he returned to Russia, Abbosbek Fayzullaev moved to Turkey’s "Istanbul Basaksehir" club.

Now Eldor and Abbosbek will no longer play in the same league as Bakhtiyor but will compete in different countries. Recently, Eldor Shomurodov addressed Bakhtiyor on his social media page, saying, "Brother, are you running away from me?" — which sparked a new joke and positive mood in the football community.

Currently, the Turkish Super League has become even more interesting for Uzbek football fans — because stars like Eldor and Abbosbek are playing for "Basaksehir". In the Russian Premier League, there are no longer any Uzbek footballers, as Fayzullaev, Ashurmatov, Rakhmonaliev, and Esonov have all moved to other clubs.

In short, the journeys of Central Asian football stars in different leagues offer fans new stories and excitement. Now, all attention is focused on the fields of Turkey…

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News » Sport » Eldor and Bakhtiyor: friends whose paths diverged in different championships...