Uzbekistan national team defender Rustam Ashurmatov believes Abdukodir Khusanov has the potential to become one of the best footballers in the world and win the Ballon d’Or one day.
Speaking in an interview with Sport-Express, Ashurmatov said he was not surprised by the rapid progress of the Manchester City defender, as he has known him since Khusanov’s time in the Bunyodkor academy.
“No, I am not surprised. I knew him from the time when I was playing for Bunyodkor’s first team and he was in the academy. Back then, I did not think about such a future for him, but I am not surprised by what is happening. Moreover, he has the potential to become even stronger. I wish him to become the best in England, in Europe and in the world,” Ashurmatov said.
Asked whether Khusanov is capable of reaching that level, the Uzbekistan defender was clear.
“Of course. What we see now is not his ceiling. He can even win the Ballon d’Or. I truly believed in him even before Manchester City — when he was at Lens. He played very well there,” he added.
Ashurmatov also stressed that the move to Manchester City has not changed Khusanov’s character. According to him, Abdukodir remains a modest person and accepts advice from his teammates on the pitch.
“He is young, ha-ha. But he can also tell me off on the pitch! And I would take it absolutely normally, because everyone is equal on the pitch,” Ashurmatov said.
Asked whether Khusanov could ever respond to teammates by saying, “I play for Manchester City, why are you telling me what to do?”, Ashurmatov dismissed the idea.
“No, no, that is not his character. He is a normal, good guy. Very modest,” he said.
Khusanov is preparing for Uzbekistan’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. Fabio Cannavaro’s team will play in Group K against Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo.