At present, Eldor Shomurodov has recorded 13 goals and 3 assists this season. After 18 matches, Istanbul Basaksehir have accumulated 26 points and are currently placed sixth in the league table.
Turkey’s Anadolu News Agency published an interview with the captain of the Uzbekistan national football team, Eldor Shomurodov, according to reports from the Dunyo News Agency.
The interview highlights that in recent years Uzbekistan has achieved significant progress in sports, particularly in football. Uzbek players are gaining recognition not only domestically, but also among international fans, helping to raise the country’s profile on the global stage.
Playing for Istanbul Basaksehir, Shomurodov enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Turkish Super League, scoring 12 goals in 17 matches and finishing as the league’s top scorer.
Speaking about the development of Uzbek football, Shomurodov emphasized that these achievements are largely driven by strong support and attention given to football by the country’s leadership.
“Young people are being provided with broad opportunities in every field. As a result, they are able to demonstrate their potential and achieve high results. I believe that over the past 10–15 years, we have experienced major progress,” said Shomurodov.
During the interview, the national team captain also shared his thoughts on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“For the first time in our history, we have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. This is truly amazing. Our people, who have been waiting for this moment for many years, were extremely happy. We are now preparing seriously for the tournament. Our goal is to perform with dignity and show the world that Uzbekistan can compete in football as well.
“There has always been a chance to advance from the group stage. Of course, we are not satisfied with participation alone and will strive for strong results. Most importantly, we want to compete confidently against top national teams at such a prestigious competition,” he added.
Shomurodov also recalled the unforgettable match against the United Arab Emirates, which secured Uzbekistan’s qualification for the World Cup.
“That was the most unforgettable match of my career. It was that game which gave us the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. I will never forget it, because on that day my entire football journey passed before my eyes,” the forward said.
In addition, Shomurodov spoke warmly about Uzbek national cuisine, traditions, and cultural heritage.
“Uzbek cuisine is no less rich than Turkish cuisine. Alongside our diverse national dishes, we have historic cities such as Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara. Tashkent has also changed a lot, with many beautiful places. In short, anyone who visits Uzbekistan will not regret it,” the footballer concluded.
Currently, Shomurodov has 13 goals and 3 assists to his name, while Istanbul Basaksehir sit in sixth place with 26 points after 18 league matches.