Ruslan Karimovich Nigmatullin (, ; born 7 October 1974 in Kazan, Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union) is a Russian former 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.
He is also known as a DJ after completing his football career.
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 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 Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Russia League Russian Cup League Cup Europe Total1992KAMAZ Naberezhnye ChelnyFirst Division701993Premier League1019941101995Spartak MoscowPremier League15019961001997201998Lokomotiv MoscowPremier League300199929020002902001270 Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total2001–02Hellas VeronaSerie A10 Russia League Russian Cup League Cup Europe Total2002CSKA MoscowPremier League140 Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total2002–03SalernitanaSerie B1402003–04Hellas VeronaSerie B90 Russia League Russian Cup League Cup Europe Total2004Lokomotiv MoscowPremier League102005Terek GroznyPremier League190 Israel League Israel State Cup Toto Cup Europe Total2009–10Maccabi Ahi NazarethLigat ha'Al90005000140 Total Russia1960 Italy240 Israel90005000140 Career total2290
Footnotes