Marat Izmailov

A Russian footballer Marat Izmailov is an attacking midfielder under contract with Porto. He used to play for the Russia national team. He was born on 21 September 1982 in Moscow.

In 1999, Marat got the title of the best forward. He was a member of FC Torpedo at that period. In 2000, Izmailov moved to Lokomotiv B, where he debuted in October 2000 in a match against PFC CSKA. In 2001, the footballer became the winner of the award “Sagittarius” in three categories: “Hope of the season”, “Most valuable player” and “The best attacking midfielder”. In 2002, Lokomotiv won the league title together with Izmailov as an important club’s member.

By 2007, the player lost his place in the starting line-up and spent almost all the matches on the bench. That’s why he was sent on loan to Sporting. The footballer made 23 appearances and netted 4 goals for the Portuguese club.

In 2008, after his spell with Sporting had come to an end, the management of the temporary club offered the Russian player a permanent contract. Izmailov took the offer and clinched into the first eleven. His goal in the debut game against Olhanense let his new team not to lose.

In 2013 he signed for Porto but struggled to get into the first team. In 2014 he was loaned to an Azerbaijan side Gabala and later to a Russian club Krasnodar.

The footballer got his first call for the Russia national squad in 2001. He was twice capped for the team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and twice for the 2004 UEFA Euro.