Azerbaijan national team footballer: "Even though I received offers from other countries, I preferred to stay in Turkey" - INTERVIEW

Coşqun Diniyev, the football player of the Azerbaijan national team and the Turkish First League representative "Bandırmaspor" club, gave an interview to "Report". The 29-year-old midfielder talked about his life as a legionnaire in the brotherly country and other interesting points. He also evaluated the opponents of the Azerbaijani national team in the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. - "Bandırmaspor", where you play, is in 3rd place in the Turkish First League. How is the fight for a Super League ticket going? - "Fatih Karagümrük" club also has 34 points like "Bandırmaspor". There is a fierce fight for a Super League ticket. We are happy that we finished the first round in third place. I hope that we will be the winning side at the end of the season. Currently, 12-13 teams are claiming to be in the Super League. The First League is really a very difficult championship. - If things go well, are you thinking of staying at "Bandırmaspor" at the end of the season? - There are certain clauses in the contract terms that, if realized, can automatically extend the contract for another 1 year. If this happens, I will try to show myself from a better side. I think it's too early to talk about it. We have to wait until the end of the season. - You have been living the life of a legionnaire for the last two years. How does it feel to play outside the country? - I have been a legionnaire football player for 2 years now. I feel more comfortable in Turkey, I am used to everything. I wish I had lived a legionnaire life earlier. I think I can play in another country for another 3-4 years. - What are the advantages of being a legionnaire football player? - If you play in a different country, it directly affects the development of the football player. You "grow" a lot as a football player. You are both strong and psychologically ready for difficulties. There are really big differences between playing in your own championship and being a legionnaire. - If you get an offer from a club in another country, would you consider it? - Even though I received an offer from another country in the winter "transfer window", I preferred to stay in Turkey. Because I love this country and it is very comfortable for me. I would really like to get an offer from Super League clubs. I hope there is time ahead. I believe that everything will be better. - You have played in many clubs in the Misli Premier League. How does the national championship look from the outside? - I can't say anything about it in the current situation. Because if you want to know the truth, I don't watch the games of the Azerbaijan Premier League. I only watch "Qarabağ"'s matches in the UEFA Europa League. - Recently, the issue of abolishing the legionnaire limit in the Azerbaijan championship has been discussed. In your opinion, what benefits can the abolition of the legionnaire limit bring to the country's football? - So far, no such decision has been approved. However, if a decision is made, time will tell whether it will have a positive or negative impact. None of us can say this without seeing it. In any case, the people who made this decision know more than me. They are at least football experts. - The Azerbaijani national team is in the same group with the winner of the France-Croatia pair, Iceland and Ukraine in the qualifying round of the World Cup. When evaluating the opponents, do you think we can get points from any team? - I believe that we will score points and win. Of course, we need to work hard and fight for this. As a member of the Azerbaijani national team, I really want to achieve a good result. I hope we will be able to please everyone who cheers for our team. We never lose hope. We will try to do our best. - Mahir Emreli, who plays for the German club "Nuremberg", stated in one of his interviews that he was very disappointed with the results in the national team. It is difficult for him to talk about it with his teammates when he returns to his club. Have you ever faced such a situation? In general, do they follow the Azerbaijani national team in Turkey? - Of course, it is sad for everyone to talk about defeat. It is twice as difficult for an Azerbaijani football player playing abroad. When returning to the club from the national team camp, everyone asks about the result and how he played. Every football player wants to answer this question well. Of course, we have to get good results for this.