Ruslan Nigmatullin

Ruslan Karimovich Nigmatullin (Russian: Русла́н Кари́мович Нигмату́ллин; IPA: [rʊˈslan kɐˈrʲiməvʲɪtɕ nʲɪɡmɐˈtulʲɪn], Tatar: Cyrillic Руслан Кәрим улы Нигъмәтуллин, Latin Ruslan Kərim ulı Niğmətullin; born 7 October 1974 in Kazan, Tatarstan, Soviet Union) is a retired association footballer of Volga Tatar ethnicity who played goalkeeper and is currently working as a DJ. He has appeared for the Russian national team 24 times (including 5 Olympic appearances) and was their starting keeper at the 2002 World Cup. He was voted Russian Player of the Year 2001 and is considered the best Russian goalkeeper of his period.

Biography

Retirement

Despite officially retiring from football in February 2006, in September 2008, Nigmatullin decided to make a deal with FC SKA Rostov-on-Don, Russian club from First Division. After playing for another year for 3 different clubs, he retired again in November 2009.

Time in Israel

Nigmatullin signed with Israeli club, Maccabi Ahi Nazareth for the 2009–10 season. His start was a shaky one but his performance improved over the weeks as he acclimated to Israel. Nevertheless, he requested to leave the club in November 2009.

Honours

• Russian Premier League champion: 1996, 1997, 2004.
• Russian Premier League runner-up: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.
• Russian Premier League bronze: 1995, 1998.
• Russian Cup winner: 2000, 2001.
• Russian Cup finalist: 1998.

Career statistics