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Nani Transfer to FC Aktobe Signals Kazakhstan Football Clubs’ Bet on Aging Stars

The Kazakhstan Premier League (KPL) is emerging as a destination for veteran European footballers in the twilight of their careers, as local clubs invest in high-profile transfers to boost visibility, attract sponsorships, and reignite fan interest. The most notable example comes from western Kazakhstan, where FC Aktobe was transferred to private ownership less than a month ago. On January 8, the regional government sold the club to businessman Nurlan Artikbayev, owner of the construction firm Qazaq Stroy, for $730,000. Artikbayev pledged to modernize the stadium, develop youth football, and rebuild the squad after the club’s failure to win the championship or qualify for European competitions. Aktobe’s first move was signing Kazakhstan national team goalkeeper Alexander Zarutsky, formerly of Almaty’s FC Kairat and a key figure in their historic UEFA Champions League appearance. However, the headline transfer was the acquisition of 39-year-old Luís Nani, the former Portuguese international and ex-midfielder for Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, Lazio, and Sporting. The club announced Nani’s signing on January 25, highlighting the move as a symbol of its renewed ambitions. Nani most recently played for Portuguese side Estrela, appearing in 10 matches and scoring once. In a statement, he expressed enthusiasm for helping to develop both the club and Kazakh football more broadly. Earlier negotiations between Aktobe and Thomas Müller fell through, with the 36-year-old German reportedly turning down a proposed loan from MLS club Vancouver. Rumors of interest in Brazilian forward Hulk were denied by his agent, while talks with 35-year-old Miralem Pjanić, formerly of Barcelona and Juventus, collapsed over financial terms. The Kazakh transfer window remains open until April 3, leaving open the possibility of further signings. Elsewhere in the league, FC Kaisar of Kyzylorda announced the signing of 35-year-old Victor Moses, the former Chelsea and Inter Milan midfielder. These moves signal a clear strategy: use marquee names to elevate the league’s status and attract new audiences. This new approach coincides with a major policy shift. As of 2025, Kazakhstan has implemented a legislative ban on the use of public funds to pay foreign athletes, meaning that such transfers must now be financed entirely through private investment. Whether this strategy pays off on the pitch remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Kazakhstani football is pivoting toward a market-driven model, where fan engagement and media visibility are becoming as valuable as tournament points.

Sports

Guardiola Praises Uzbekistan’s “Top” Khusanov After Champions League Start

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has praised Uzbek defender Abduqodir Khusanov for his standout performance and professionalism, before the club’s UEFA Champions League clash with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt. Guardiola’s remarks were shared by City Xtra on X following the pre-match press conference. “Just read the media, how they praised Khusanov. They’re right. He’s top,” Guardiola said. “We don’t have complaints. The last game he was exceptional and the previous one as well. We’re really pleased.” Manchester City lost 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt on January 20, in the seventh round of the Champions League. Khusanov started the match and played the full 90 minutes, anchoring City’s defense throughout. Guardiola commended Khusanov’s attitude during a period of limited playing time earlier in the season. “After Arsenal, a month without playing, and you cannot imagine how he behaved in training and in the locker room. That defines Khusanov,” he said. The manager attributed the defender’s discipline and adaptability to his formative years in Uzbekistan and his stint in France prior to joining the Premier League champions. “He listened, he learned, and of course his condition is exceptional,” Guardiola added. “Manchester City will have a central defender for many, many years, and at a top, top level.” According to statistics from SofaScore, Khusanov was a key figure in City’s build-up play, registering 110 touches and completing 94 of 96 passes, a 98% accuracy rate. SofaScore rated his overall performance at 6.3/10. Defensively, Khusanov made eight key actions, including three interceptions, three clearances, and five ball recoveries. He won both of his ground duels, though he was less successful in aerial challenges, losing all three attempts.

tennis

Kazakhstan’s Bublik Breaks Into Top 10 With Ninth Title Win

After a stellar 2025 season, Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan has started 2026 by becoming a top 10 player for the first time. Bublik defeated Italian Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the final of the ATP tournament in Hong Kong on Sunday and will move up one spot to world No. 10 when the new rankings come out on Monday. It’s the first time that Kazakhstan has had a player among the 10 best tennis players in the world. Smiling broadly, Bublik went down on one knee after winning the match on a Musetti forehand into the net. In his on-court victory speech, he said Hong Kong would always be a special place because of what he achieved there. “I’m being honest with you,” Bublik said. “If you tell me that, at the beginning of my career or last April, that I’m going to be standing here, 10 in the world… I would probably not believe you.” The Russia-born, 28-year-old player had his best season last year, winning four titles after struggling early in 2025. With the Hong Kong win, he has won a total of nine titles in his career. Bublik now has a 3-1 head-to-head record over Musetti, a top 10 player. Despite his success, Musetti has lost his last seven tour finals. In his speech, Bublik said that he too had lost a lot of finals and that he expected the Italian to build on those losses and achieve “some very big moments of your career.” Bublik told the Hong Kong crowd that he “can’t wait” to return next year.

Sports

Turkmenistan’s Arkadag to Face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in AFC Champions League

Turkmenistan’s Arkadag football team has drawn Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, one of the favorites to win the AFC Champions League, in the round of 32. The Riyadh-based club features global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. The play-off stage draw was held on December 30 in Kuala Lumpur. Arkadag could have faced Jordan’s Al-Hussein or the UAE’s Al-Wasl, but the outcome proved more challenging. Al-Nassr, widely considered a top contender for the title, will now travel to Ashgabat for a critical away match. Cristiano Ronaldo has been with the Saudi club for three seasons but has yet to play a match in Central Asia. In both 2023 and 2025, Al-Nassr shared a group with Tajikistan’s Istiklol. However, in each case, the matches in Dushanbe occurred late in the group stage, with Al-Nassr having already secured qualification, prompting the club to rest its key players. The upcoming encounter may break that pattern. As the first match of a two-legged tie, Al-Nassr is unlikely to underestimate its opponent. Arkadag, the reigning AFC Challenge League champion, has established itself as a formidable home team, maintaining an unbeaten record since its founding. In last season’s Challenge League playoffs, Arkadag defeated India’s East Bengal 2-1 and Kuwait’s Al-Arabi 3-0 on home turf. In this season’s AFC Champions League, the team has continued its strong form, securing a 1-0 win over Bahrain’s Al-Khalidiya and drawing 1-1 with both Uzbekistan’s Andijan and Qatar’s Al-Ahli. For Al-Nassr, the match represents an away challenge against a little-known but dangerous opponent. Arkadag's home advantage, unwavering support from local fans, and spotless home record make the team a serious threat, even for a club boasting global superstars. The first-leg match is scheduled for February 10 or 11 in Turkmenistan, with the return leg set for February 17 or 18 in Saudi Arabia. Arkadag is Central Asia’s sole representative in the AFC Champions League round of 32. However, the region will also be represented in the AFC Challenge League playoffs, with Kyrgyzstan’s Muras United advancing to the next stage. The Ashgabat fixture may become not only the highlight of Turkmenistan’s football winter, but also a rare opportunity for Central Asian fans to witness one of the world’s greatest players compete on regional soil.

Sports

Uzbek Defender Abdukodir Khusanov Named Asia’s Best Young Footballer of 2025

Abdukodir Khusanov, central defender for the Uzbekistan national team and Manchester City, has been named Asia’s Best Young Footballer of 2025 by football outlet Goalpost, marking a major milestone in the meteoric rise of the 21-year-old. The past year has been a breakthrough period for Khusanov. In January, he made history as the first footballer from Uzbekistan to debut in the English Premier League, following his transfer to Manchester City. Since then, he has steadily earned playing time at one of Europe’s top clubs, making nine appearances for the Manchester side this season. Khusanov’s impact has extended beyond club football. In June, he played a pivotal role in securing Uzbekistan’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup, a landmark achievement for the national team. His performances at both domestic and international levels propelled him to the top of Goalpost’s rankings, ahead of emerging talents from Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Iraq, and other Asian nations. His international recognition continues to grow. Khusanov was recently ranked 86th in The Athletic’s list of the world’s top 100 footballers, underscoring his expanding global profile. Interest from Europe’s elite clubs is also mounting. In December, reports emerged that Real Madrid is considering Khusanov for a mid-season loan, viewing him as a potential short-term solution to its defensive injury crisis. The Spanish club is said to value his physical presence and versatility, particularly his ability to play in several defensive positions.

Sports

Kazakhstan Plans to Send 35 Athletes to 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy

Kazakhstan plans to send a team of 35 athletes to compete at the XXV Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in Italy in 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22, bringing together approximately 3,000 athletes from 93 countries. A total of 116 sets of medals will be contested. Kazakhstan’s athletes will compete in 10 disciplines across 58 medal events. These include biathlon, speed skating, figure skating, short track, alpine skiing, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, freestyle moguls, and freestyle aerials. Among the strongest medal contenders are figure skaters Mikhail Shaydorov and Sofya Samodelkina; freestyle skiers Anastasia Gorodko and Yulia Galysheva; speed skater Evgeny Koshkin; and a group of short track skaters, including several world championship medalists. Shaydorov is the current world silver medalist in men’s singles figure skating. Galysheva won bronze in moguls at the 2018 Winter Olympics and was crowned world champion in 2019 in the same discipline. Gorodko has twice earned bronze in parallel moguls at the World Championships, in 2021 and 2025. Kazakhstan has participated in every Winter Olympics since 1994, when skier Vladimir Smirnov won the country’s first and so far only, Winter Olympic gold medal in Lillehammer, Norway. To date, Kazakhstan has won eight medals at the Winter Games: one gold, three silver, and four bronze. The Lillehammer Games remain the country’s most successful, with three medals and a 12th-place finish in the overall medal standings. At the most recent Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022, Kazakh athletes did not reach the podium. However, the national team delivered a strong performance at the 2025 Winter Asian Games, finishing fourth in the overall standings with 20 medals.