Ruslan Abishov

Ruslan Abishov
Born	Ruslan Ibrahim oğlu Abışov (1987-10-10) October 10, 1987 Baku, Azerbaijan
Occupation	Professional footballer (retired)
Years active	–2023
Known for	Defender for Neftchi Baku and Azerbaijan national team

Ruslan Abishov (Azerbaijani: Ruslan Ibrahim oğlu Abışov; born 10 October 1987) is a retired Azerbaijani professional footballer who operated primarily as a defender.

Club

Abishov developed through the Neftchi Baku academy and devoted the majority of his playing years to this club. He contributed to Neftchi's triumphs in the Azerbaijan Premier League during the 2010–11 and 2011–12 campaigns before moving on to Khazar Lankaran. On 26 February 2013, he committed to a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rubin Kazan.

On 24 June 2014, Abishov was loaned to Gabala FK for six months, subsequently signing a short-term contract with them once the loan period concluded. Due to registration complications at Khazar Lankaran, he rejoined Gabala on 14 September 2015. After completing the 2015–16 season, Abishov opted not to renew his contract and departed from Gabala.

On 29 June 2016, he inked a one-year agreement with Inter Baku. He then re-signed with Neftchi Baku on 12 January 2017 for six months, later extending his stay and captaining the squad throughout the 2017–18 season, during which Neftchi earned bronze medals — their highest league ranking since 2013. On 10 June 2019, Abishov mutually parted ways with Neftchi.

Shortly after, on 13 June 2019, he secured a two-year contract with Sabah FC. Later, on 26 June 2021, Zira FK confirmed his acquisition.

International

Abishov made his international debut for the Azerbaijan national team on 5 September 2009 in a match against Finland during the qualification phase for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His first goal for Azerbaijan came on 18 November 2009 in a friendly against the Czech Republic. He officially ended his football career in 2023.

Club

[rowspan=4] valign=center | Neftchi Baku

Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Neftchi Baku	2006–07	Azerbaijan Premier League	7	0			-		7	0
	2007–08		12	0			0	0	12	0
	2008–09		16	0			6	0	22	0
	2009–10		25	0			-		25	0
	2010–11		26	2	3	0	-		29	2
	2011–12		30	5	5	0	2	0	37	5
	Total		116	7	8	0	8	0	132	7
Khazar Lankaran	2012–13	Azerbaijan Premier League	17	1	1	0	4	1	22	2
Rubin Kazan	2012–13	Russian Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2013–14		0	0	0	0	5	0	5	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	5	0	6	0
Gabala (loan)	2014–15	Azerbaijan Premier League	13	1	1	0	2	0	16	1
Gabala	2014–15	Azerbaijan Premier League	14	3	2	0	0	0	16	3
	2015–16		17	0	2	0	0	0	19	0
	Total		31	3	4	0	0	0	35	3
Inter Baku	2016–17	Azerbaijan Premier League	13	5	3	2		-		16	7
2016-17	Azerbaijan Premier League	9	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
2017-18		27	5	3	0	–		30	5
2018-19		3	1	0	0	2	0	5	1
Total		39	6	3	0	2	0	44	6
Sabah	2019-20	Azerbaijan Premier League	8	0	0	0	–		8	0
	2020-21		5	0	0	0	–		5	0
	Total		13	0	0	0	-	-	13	0
Zira	2021-22	Azerbaijan Premier League	1	0	1	0	–		2	0
	2022-23		1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		2	0	2	0	!  !  !4	!  !  !  !

International Career

Azerbaijan National Team
Year	Appearances	Goals Scored
2009	5	1
2010	7	0
2011	9	1
2012	9	1
2013	8	1
2014	6	0
2015	2	0
2016	3	0
2017	1	0
2018	6	0
Total	56	4

Data updated through match played on 9 June 2018

International Goals

|- | 1. || 18 November 2009 || Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates || || 2–0 || 2–0 || Friendly match|| |- | 2. || 29 March 2011 || King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium || || 1–1 || 4–1 || UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers|| |- | 3. || 7 September 2012 || Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan || || 1–1 || 1–1 || 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying|| |- | 4. || 7 June 2013 || Bakcell Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan || || 1–0 || 1–1 || 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying|| |} Information accurate as of 7 October 2015

Club Level

Neftchi Baku

• Azerbaijan Premier League titles: (2) 2010–11 and 2011–12

International Level

Azerbaijan U23

• Champions of the Islamic Solidarity Games: (1) 2017

Personal Accolades

• Awarded Best Midfielder of Azerbaijan in 2010
• Named Best Defender of Azerbaijan in 2011
• Honored as Azerbaijani Footballer of the Year in 2012