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An interview with 23-year-old defender of the Azerbaijan national team, Nigar Mirzaliyeva, who has been living as a legionnaire in Russia for 5 years, to Telegraf
- You recently announced that you were offered a new contract from Zenit. It turns out that you also have other offers. Have you made a final decision about your career?
- I have another one-year contract with Zenit. Yes, the club is offering me a new contract again. But I need to think about it a little more. I also have other offers, but I have not made a decision yet. If good offers come from other clubs, I can consider them.
- In general, how do you evaluate your career at Zenit: what has changed in your football life?
- Zenit is a very strong team, the coaching staff, the girls - everyone is very good as a team. This club has taught me a lot. I can say that my football career is progressing well. I learn something new in every game and work on my mistakes. I don't regret coming to Zenit.
- Russian representatives cannot participate in tournaments held under the UEFA flag due to sanctions. How does this affect you?
- Not being able to participate in UEFA tournaments is a bit upsetting for us. We would love to go abroad and play. Unfortunately, this is not possible yet. But we still perform with the same enthusiasm and motivation.
- What are the difficulties of living as a legionnaire, being away from family members?
- Of course, being away from my family makes me very sad. I can only see my family when I have games in Baku. But I have my plans, my desires. You have to suffer to achieve them, and I endure it. I talk to my family every day, every minute. I have almost gotten used to being alone. But there is still a feeling of longing inside me. I would very much like women's football in Azerbaijan to develop at least as it does in Russia, and I would come and play for my country, for my nation.
- Usually, Azerbaijani male football players' legionnaire life abroad is not long-term. The opposite is true for members of the women's national team. What is the reason for this?
- I don't know the exact reason. But I think a lot about my career. I love football very much. That's why I want to play in foreign countries, raise and promote the name of Azerbaijan. My biggest dream is to become a famous female football player.
- Are you thinking of wearing a uniform in European countries in the near future?
- I would very much like to play in one of the European clubs. I believe in myself very much. I know that one day this wish will come true and I will play in European clubs.
- Usually, many female football players end their careers after getting married. Do you have any plans to get married in the near future?
- I don't have any plans to get married yet. I think that I am still a young football player, this step is too early for me. I am not ready and I want to progress further in my career.
- In general, would you end your football career for your family?
- Sometimes there comes a time when you are forced to end your career, even if you don't want to. But if I am married, I will respect my family's opinion.
- How old does Nigar Mirzaliyeva see herself as a coach? Would you like to work abroad as a coach, or would you like to stay and work in Azerbaijan?
- I think that after I finish my football career, maybe I can become a coach. Because I am very attached to football, I love it very much and I don't want to be separated from football for life. For this reason, in the future I can create a club in Azerbaijan and coach. Even if I don't play football myself, I would really like to have my own team. It would be a little difficult for me to just stand aside and watch football. But I will already understand that this is my job and I am already a coach.
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