Igor Sergeyev: The conversation with the president stays in my memory; to be honest, I thought I would cry
Uzbekistan national team’s experienced forward Igor Sergeyev gave a sincere and inspiring interview to our website after the historic match against Qatar. Sergeyev's words are filled with pride, gratitude, and great motivation. This conversation will not leave not only football fans but all our compatriots uninspired.
Igor Sergeyev touched upon the qualification process for the World Cup, emphasizing that this stage was not easy for the Uzbekistan national team. According to him, in some situations, plans did not materialize, yet the goal was achieved — for the first time in history, our national team is heading to the World Cup. “Today's game was even more precious to me. I returned to the field after a serious injury and scored a goal. It’s hard to express these feelings in words; I am filled with endless joy and satisfaction,” the forward shared sincerely.
This is Igor Sergeyev's fourth World Cup qualifying cycle. He first participated in the qualifiers in 2013 against Jordan. He reflected on the changes over the past twelve years: “Today, our football is being taken seriously. The federation and leadership are paying great attention to sports. Therefore, the pool of young and talented players is expanding. Youngsters like Husanov, Abbos, and Eldor are making their mark on the field; the demands and goals are high, and the competition is fierce. Most importantly, our infrastructure and academies have developed. The results of this are clearly visible in our national team in recent years.”
Sergeyev also mentioned that he would not forget meeting with our President after the historic qualification. This meeting was one of the greatest honors and dreams of his life. “Our leader thanked me and asked me to convey to my family that he personally takes pride in us. Meeting face-to-face with the President is a dream for every athlete. It’s impossible to express this feeling in words; I was close to tears,” said the excited footballer.
Igor Sergeyev's words are not just the impressions of an individual but a unique source of spiritual strength for all of Uzbekistan's football, coaches, youth, and fans. The victory in the qualification stage and our national team’s advancement to a major forum is the result of years of hard work, relentless training, and strong will.
A new generation of talents is emerging in the Uzbekistan national team. Every player in the team is fighting to find their place. It would not be an exaggeration to say that today’s achievements, successes, and great opportunities are just the beginning of the journey.
Thus, through Igor Sergeyev's sincere conversation, we are once again assured that a new chapter has opened in our national football. Ahead lie new victories, high peaks, and major forums that will unite the entire nation.
