The world-renowned US publication The New York Times has published an analytical article about Abdukodir Khusanov, defender for the Uzbekistan national team and Manchester City.
— Abdukodir is not just a 'new star,' but someone who has already become a national symbol. Today, Khusanov is a widely recognized figure for Uzbekistan, and the country's hopes for the World Cup are largely tied to him. While other national teams rely on star forwards or creative playmakers before major tournaments, Uzbekistan is pinning its dreams on a center-back. And this is by no means an exaggeration.
For Uzbek football, Khusanov is no longer just a defender. He is the country's key player, its face, and perhaps the greatest footballing prospect of the modern era.
The point is that Khusanov has diverged significantly from the traditional image of a center-back. He is valued not only for his speed, physical power, and perfect reading of game episodes but also for his skill in initiating attacks — with precise long passes, he instantly pierces through opponent lines.
Anise Yala, head coach of the Gabon national team, openly admitted that Khusanov is a very high-level footballer: young, strong, talented, and already playing for one of the world's biggest clubs — Manchester City.
In a country that values Cristiano Ronaldo more than any other footballer, Khusanov is seen as the Uzbek version of the Portuguese superstar. This is not about playing style, but about sphere of influence. In fact, Abdukodir Khusanov has already become — or is very close to becoming — the first truly globally recognized footballer in the history of independent Uzbekistan. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, there were strong and respected players. For example, Odil Ahmedov played over 100 matches for the national team and shared the pitch with Samuel Eto'O and Roberto Carlos at Anzhi. Eldor Shomurodov became the national team's top scorer and reached Serie A. However, none of them have followed a path as meteoric as Khusanov.
In just three years, he achieved what seemed almost impossible for an Uzbek footballer until recently. He moved from Energetik-BGU in Belarus to Lens in France, and from there to one of the world's biggest clubs — Manchester City. Furthermore, Khusanov is not just a name in England — he regularly features in Premier League and Champions League matches, and has even won the English League Cup. And all this at 22 years old.
For Uzbekistan, this is not just a transfer success. It is a major 'explosion' on a national level. Almost everyone in Tashkent knows him — not only fans but people far removed from football. This is not surprising: Husanov is a true celebrity today. His image appears on billboards for various product advertisements, as well as on promotional banners commemorating Uzbekistan's first participation in the World Cup.
Khusanov's public influence has extended far beyond the boundaries of sport. While his wedding last year was a major national event, the birth of his first child last month triggered a wave of wide congratulations in local media. This shows how deeply Khusanov has entered the social consciousness. He is not just a successful athlete — he is the symbol of Uzbekistan's new football era.
One reason why his image is so vivid in his homeland is that this path is still considered unique for Uzbek footballers, especially at such a young age. Khusanov moved from Bunyodkor in Tashkent to Belarus at 18.
Many players of the Uzbekistan national team still play in the local Super League or neighboring championships, with some in Iran, Iraq, and the UAE. In this regard, Khusanov's story is almost revolutionary.
However, most importantly, real football quality lies behind all the media hype. Although Uzbekistan won 3:1 against Gabon in a match Khusanov watched from the stands, the defense did not look very reliable and allowed several dangerous situations. Journalists almost unanimously attributed this to Khusanov's absence. That is, if he were there, the picture would be different. And three days later, the match against Venezuela proved this point in practice. Husanov returned to the usual three center-back scheme — and everything fell into place.
The game ended 0:0, but the main hero of the night was Khusanov. In front of 29 thousand spectators, he dominated the defense. He amazed the crowd by easily dispossessing Venezuela and Los Angeles forward David Martinez. Then, with a precise pass of about 50 meters, he set up Oston Orunov, making the stadium roar. In stoppage time, he blocked a shot from Carlos Sosa, saving the team from a certain goal — earning him another round of applause.
The Venezuelans repeatedly sent passes to the backline, relying on speed, but almost every time the result was the same: Khusanov arrived first, took the ball, and stopped the opponent. In many cases, the attacker would be left behind on the field, while the stands greeted each episode like a song.
In some situations, Khusanov did something unexpected for a center-back: he calmly passed over the opponent and immediately started an attack. This once again shows that he is an extraordinary footballer. He is not just a good defender — he is a player capable of determining the team's tempo, rhythm, and confidence. While in other national teams the defense is the foundation, in Uzbekistan, Husanov is both the foundation, the symbol, and the face.
After the game, Uzbekistan defeated Venezuela in a penalty shootout to win the FIFA Series trophy. For Khusanov, this was his second trophy within a week after the League Cup with Manchester City. Despite missing the match against Gabon, he was named the best player of the tournament. This fully reflects his current status. In Uzbekistan, his strength was already known. Now, Manchester City fans are also beginning to realize his level.
Ahead lies the biggest challenge.
This summer, Abdukodir Khusanov will take the field at the World Cup, carrying the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders. This will be a historic first appearance for Uzbekistan, and all attention is focused on him. Judging by recent games, his confidence, maturity, and influence, Khusanov is ready. And perhaps the World Cup will be the tournament where the world realizes a truth already known in Uzbekistan: Abdukodir Khusanov is not just the country's best footballer. He is already a historical phenomenon — wrote The New York Times.
