AFC Asian Cup
Closing in on a century of caps for the Central Asian side, the forward has already inspired the team to new heights and it will come as no surprise should Uzbekistan make it deep in the upcoming edition.
Factfile:
Age: 31
Caps: 96
Goals: 47
Club: Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR)
Contributing four goals in the qualifying campaign, Shomurodov sparked unbridled joy in Uzbekistan as the nation qualified for its first ever FIFA World Cup at Mexico, Canada and the United States 2026.
The lanky forward also got a goal to remember, scoring in their concluding group stage match against DR Congo before the African side came back to win 3-1.
TriviaUzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov is the only player
to have appeared at five AFC Asian Cups,
doing so in 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
Making his AFC Asian Cup debut in 2019, the then 23-year-old found the back of the net four times in the group stage before Uzbekistan’s exit in the Round of 16 to Australia on penalties.
Injury robbed him of the opportunity to participate in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and Shomurodov will be doubly determined to leave his mark in the coming edition.
His club career thus far has been spent largely in Europe after making the breakthrough with Bunyodkor back in 2015.
Russian side FC Rostov recognised the talent and signed Shomurodov in 2017 before the Italian Serie A came calling as Genoa and then AS Roma became his new home.
A successful loan stint with Istanbul Basaksehir last season saw him netting 23 goals in 38 appearances, ultimately leading the Turkish side to sign him permanently this season as Shomurodov continues to be one of the leading forwards from Asia.
Photos: AFC, AFP
