Former Russia, Spartak and Lokomotiv goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin says he has no plans to leave the country again, having found happiness in Istra with his wife and their newborn daughter.

Nigmatullin, 51, spoke about his life after football in an interview with Euro-Football.Ru, covering his return from the United States, a difficult divorce, his glove business, music, fatherhood and his views on the development of Russian football.

He and his wife moved to the Istra area two years ago after having never previously lived outside a city. The former goalkeeper said they immediately enjoyed life in the countryside and now rarely travel to Moscow, apart from occasional filming commitments.

“I rarely give long interviews now,” Nigmatullin said. “With age, I have become busier and there is not much time. Previously, I did not want to talk about anything because there were court cases and nothing to say. Now there is something to tell.”

Nigmatullin said he has no desire to move abroad permanently. He previously lived in Italy while playing there, spent six months in Israel and three years in the United States. He returned to Russia after moving to Miami to help his children settle and arrange their education.

His older son is now a father, making Nigmatullin a grandfather, while his younger son has received a music education. Nigmatullin said he would gladly travel abroad for the winter, as he has done during the past two years, including a month and a half in Thailand last year, but did not want to live there permanently.

“My wife loves Russia, Moscow, Russian nature, the banya and the songs of Mikhail Shufutinsky and Mikhail Krug,” he said. “All of that can be organised in Miami, but there it would feel more like nostalgia.”

The former goalkeeper said he did not regard Alla Pugacheva and Maxim Galkin as traitors for leaving Russia, describing their decision as a personal choice, although he admitted they did not command his respect.

Nigmatullin said he continued to follow news from sport, politics and showbusiness and hoped for a positive end to the military conflict for Russia and the restoration of what he called the country’s “full status”.

He still works occasionally as a DJ for a good fee, but said the number of large events had fallen and that it was not currently his main source of income. He also ruled out entering politics or becoming a civil servant, saying he valued control over his own time and wanted to spend it with his family.

Business and financial difficulties

Nigmatullin revealed that his household and business expenses totalled 1,724,000 roubles in September. He showed his Sberbank Online application during the interview and said the figure included rent, a car loan, staff salaries and purchases for his Nigma goalkeeper-glove business.

He said 200,000 roubles went towards renting his house and 225,000 towards the car loan. He drives a Lixiang hybrid, which he described as the best vehicle he had owned after previously driving BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus cars. In two years, he said, it had covered 40,000 kilometres without a serious problem.

Nigmatullin said his return from the United States had followed a financially painful divorce. He claimed his former wife took property accumulated during their marriage through what he described as a complicated scheme, leaving him to rebuild from nothing.

A court ordered his former wife to pay him 59 million roubles, but he said he had not received the money. The case is going through arbitration proceedings and debt restructuring. He said his former wife had been declared bankrupt and that his lawyers were continuing to work on the matter while she remained abroad.

“Fifty-nine million roubles a couple of years ago and now are completely different amounts because money loses value,” he said, although he remained confident of a favourable outcome.

Nigmatullin said he had not wanted the divorce dispute to become public, adding that being portrayed as a victim had made him feel vulnerable. Nevertheless, he said he wished his former wife, his children and his current wife well and believed the dispute would be resolved through the legal system.

He also said his business had suffered losses after a large amount of stock was damaged on Ozon and Wildberries, while he still had obligations to creditors and investors. His income, he acknowledged, was not yet greater than his expenditure.

Nigma sells about 1,300 pairs of gloves a month. Nigmatullin said the company had ranked first on Ozon for sales the previous month and was second in the current month, with a similar position on Wildberries. He is also developing the company’s own online store, nigma.store.

The main market is Russia, although ambassadors from the national teams of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova promote the brand in their countries. Nigmatullin said there was no immediate plan for a major international expansion.

The gloves cost from 1,000 roubles, and models include Ladoga, Volga and Seliger. He is preparing an elite version incorporating the latest developments in the industry.

“Our main buyers are children and their parents,” he said. “I dream of arriving at a children’s tournament and seeing all the goalkeepers wearing my gloves.”

Nigmatullin said demand was currently ahead of production, creating cash-flow problems despite fast sales. He compared the situation with Nike during a period of rapid growth, when the company reportedly struggled to finance the expansion of its stock.

He admitted he reacted strongly to unreasonable criticism but said constructive feedback had helped improve the product. After customers criticised the company’s packaging, Nigma introduced higher-quality bags.

Each goalkeeper receives a card bearing Nigmatullin’s autograph, while customers who buy directly from the company’s website can receive a personal video message. He said counterfeit products, including fake Nike and Adidas items, remained a major problem on marketplaces.

Family and media work

Nigmatullin became a father for the third time last year. He said fatherhood at his age was more conscious and that he tried to appreciate every moment with his daughter.

“It is a completely new experience for me and very moving,” he said. “It feels like pure happiness.”

His mother-in-law currently lives with the family and helps them care for the child. Nigmatullin said his second marriage had changed his life for the better and that he and his wife did not feel the 28-year age gap between them.

He said he had not seen his children from his first marriage for three years, although he followed them on social media. He hoped his granddaughter would eventually meet his daughter, but did not want to discuss the subject in detail.

Nigmatullin said he no longer regularly appeared on football television programmes because the journey from Istra to Moscow was long and he placed a value on his time. He has also not travelled to Russian regions for masterclasses for a year, although he would accept such invitations with pleasure.

He is not interested in becoming a commentator and said he did not want to compete with commentator Konstantin Genich and other colleagues. However, he recently travelled to Oryol at the invitation of Dmitry Sennikov for an autograph session and glove giveaway before a match. Sennikov is now the club’s sporting director, according to Nigmatullin.

Nigmatullin released a new music album at the beginning of 2026 and continues to regard DJ work as a job rather than a priority. He said family came first and he would only perform when it did not interfere with his home life.

He also took part in the television programme Titans at the age of 51. The experience was physically demanding, particularly because he did not regularly train in a gym or play football and had experienced joint problems the previous year.

Nigmatullin lasted six episodes and said he had enjoyed the project, although the filming schedule left little time for recovery. He would consider returning, but said he would need about a month of preparation similar to a football pre-season.

Nigmatullin on Russian football

Nigmatullin believes Russian football has become faster and more pragmatic. He said goalkeepers were increasingly expected to act as outfield players, with academies placing greater emphasis on their ability to use their feet.

He also pointed to improved medical support and recovery methods, which he said had helped players continue performing at a high level beyond the age of 40. In the 1990s, he added, a 30-year-old footballer was often viewed as a veteran nearing the end of his career.

The former goalkeeper said he preferred a Russian Premier League with predominantly Russian players and no more than two foreign players per club. He criticised the tendency to rely on overseas recruits instead of developing young players, while welcoming the progress of players such as Aleksei Batrakov and the number of academy products at CSKA.

He identified Krasnodar goalkeeper Stanislav Agkatsev as the closest stylistic comparison to himself among current goalkeepers, describing him as quick and athletic. He also praised Anton Mitryushkin.

Nigmatullin said Matvey Safonov’s performances for Paris Saint-Germain represented “the best advertising” for Russia’s goalkeeper development. He rejected comparisons over who had achieved more, arguing that they played in different eras, but said Safonov was among the best goalkeepers of 2026 and was respected worldwide.

He believes the lack of World Cups and European Championships has reduced the public’s familiarity with Russia’s current players. The national team, he said, is currently functioning as a large selection process while coaches assess players ahead of any return to major competition.

Nigmatullin expressed support for Russia manager Valeri Karpin, a former team-mate with whom he remains close, but said it was difficult to assess the manager’s work without a settled squad or regular opponents.

In a quick-fire section, Nigmatullin chose money over fame, early morning over evening and pizza over sushi. He favoured Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi because of the Portuguese forward’s work on his physique, although he said Messi possessed more natural talent.

He chose the Champions League over winning the Russian Premier League, saying players such as Batrakov and Nair Tiknizyan would value the chance to face elite clubs. As a goalkeeper, he preferred to work quietly rather than constantly shout at team-mates.

“Leadership,” he replied when asked to choose between leadership and a supporting role. “I was not a leader in the dressing room. I was a quiet footballer. My enjoyment was being the leader on the pitch.”

\ Maxim Galkin is listed as a foreign agent by the Russian authorities.

Real Madrid midfielder Tiago Pitarch has described working with head coach Jose Mourinho, saying the Portuguese is “a big joker” but also knows when to be serious.

Pitarch has had limited opportunities this season after missing most of Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations because of an injury. He has so far played just one minute for the first team.

According to Madrid Universal, Pitarch could leave Real Madrid in January. However, Mourinho is opposed to the midfielder’s departure.

Real Madrid’s board and head coach Jose Mourinho highly value Endrick and want the 20-year-old Brazilian to stay at the club.

However, Endrick has not yet decided whether to leave. If it becomes clear over the next month that he is unlikely to secure regular playing time, he could ask to move elsewhere himself.

A loan move is one possible option, as happened at the start of the current year.

Real Madrid are currently less willing to let Endrick leave than they were last season, with the club keen to retain depth in their squad, according to The Athletic.

Vinicius Junior has lost his place in the Real Madrid starting line-up, according to The Touchline, which cites Spanish newspaper AS.

The Brazil forward is reported to understand the situation and respect head coach Jose Mourinho’s decision. Vinicius intends to work hard to regain his place in the team and return to being a player capable of deciding matches.

The 2026/2027 season has been a difficult one for Vinicius Junior so far. He has made 12 appearances, scoring one goal and providing three assists for his team-mates.

Real Madrid are second in the La Liga table and trail leaders Barcelona by three points.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reported to have drawn up a restructuring plan that would improve the club’s financial liquidity by selling a minority stake to financial investors.

Perez has not discussed the proposal publicly. French billionaire Bernard Arnault could become a potential investor, according to The Touchline.

The plan also includes preparing Rafael Nadal to become president of Real Madrid, a possibility that has been reported previously.

Real Madrid are second in the Spanish league table after 12 rounds. Barcelona have collected three more points.

Former Spartak Moscow and Celta midfielder Alexander Mostovoy has shared his view on the possibility of Russia international and Galatasaray midfielder Alexei Batrakov moving to La Liga.

Batrakov joined Galatasaray from Moscow club Lokomotiv during the summer transfer window. The deal was worth 25 million euros.

The 21-year-old Russia international signed a five-year contract with the Istanbul club.

France captain Kylian Mbappe missed team training on Wednesday and remains “under treatment” ahead of Thursday’s Nations League match against Italy, the national team’s coaching staff said.

No further details were given about the physical condition of the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward.

Mbappe has returned to the France squad for this international camp after sitting out the team’s previous three matches because of injury.

He scored the winning goal in Zinedine Zidane’s first match as coach, a Nations League fixture against Turkey in September. However, Mbappe was forced to leave the field shortly afterwards after experiencing pain in his left knee.

France lead Group A1 after taking three wins and one draw from their opening four matches. They are in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals, with two pool-stage games remaining.

The first is against Italy in Milan on Thursday, followed by a meeting with Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.

Arsenal are monitoring Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena as Mikel Arteta seeks further additions capable of taking the Premier League leaders to another level.

Baena, who joined Atletico Madrid from Villarreal, is viewed as a potential fit for Arteta’s preferred style because of his ability to carry the ball quickly through defensive lines and give Arsenal a more direct, vertical threat.

Arsenal are top of the 2026/27 Premier League table with 27 points from 10 matches. Brighton and Hove Albion, the only side to beat them in the league this season, are second but already five points behind.

The club’s progress follows several years of rebuilding under Arteta. The manager was given time to remove disruptive influences, move on ageing players and develop a squad built around younger, ambitious talent.

That patience was rewarded when Arsenal won their first Premier League title in 22 years at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. They also came within a penalty shootout of winning their maiden Champions League, a result which has strengthened Arteta’s determination to continue improving the squad.

Baena is among the players Arsenal are understood to be considering, with a possible move as early as January 2027. Atletico Madrid’s interest in Martin Zubimendi could provide Arsenal with another option in negotiations.

Zubimendi appears to have fallen out of favour at Emirates Stadium, despite the public line suggesting otherwise. It is not known whether the former Real Sociedad player could be included as part of a deal for Baena or whether Atletico Madrid would prefer a straight cash transfer.

Since the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, only three Atletico Madrid players have registered more than Baena’s seven assists. Five players - Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone - have scored more than his seven goals.

Only Giuliano Simeone, David Hancko, Marcos Llorente and Koke have made more than Baena’s 62 appearances during that period, while Julian Alvarez is the only Atletico Madrid player to have scored more than Baena’s three goals from outside the box.

Baena has attempted 54 shots, placing him among Atletico Madrid’s top five in that category. His 50% conversion rate for big chances is the joint-best in the squad among players who have created more than one big chance.

His 77 dribbles and 585 total ball carries underline his willingness to attack opponents and remain proactive in possession. Those performances have helped his Flashscore rating reach 8.2.

However, Baena’s 80.81% pass-completion rate is one of the lower figures in the Atletico Madrid squad. That would require swift improvement at Arsenal, where Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze and Zubimendi have recorded rates between 85.39% and 88.67%.

Among those Arsenal players, only Eze has scored more than Baena’s 12 goals, attempted more than his 121 dribbles or taken more than his 60 shots since the start of last season. Rice’s 14 assists are exactly double Baena’s total.

The main question for Arsenal is whether Zubimendi could form part of a swap deal, or whether a cash offer would be enough to persuade Atletico Madrid to sell.

Thibaut Courtois says Jose Mourinho has become “more mature” and “a bit more calm” since the manager’s previous spell at Real Madrid.

Mourinho returned to the Bernabeu on 11 June after a 13-year absence, signing a three-year contract as he attempts to restore Real Madrid to the top of the game. The club have gone without a trophy in the past two campaigns, while Barcelona have moved ahead of them in the battle for domestic honours.

Courtois previously worked with Mourinho at Chelsea during the 2014-15 season, when the goalkeeper helped the club win the Premier League title. He believes the manager’s character remains unmistakable, although his approach has softened slightly with experience.

“It was really exciting to have him back. He fills the room. When you come in and he's there, you feel he's there. I think that is something that we needed,” Courtois said.

“I think he himself says, he has maybe grown to be more matured even. And with the experience, I think sometimes he is a bit more calmer. At Chelsea, I remember he was a bit more stronger in the dressing room, a bit more heavier (intense).

“Also now he is, but I feel he is a tiny bit less from what I remember from 12 years ago. But he's still the same personality, the same presence. At the beginning, we had two losses but now everything is going well and we hope to keep that run going.”

Mourinho’s first spell in charge of Real Madrid ran from 2010 to 2013. He oversaw 178 matches and guided the club to the 2011 Copa del Rey, the 2012 La Liga title and the 2012 Spanish Super Cup.

His return comes with Real Madrid three points behind Barcelona in La Liga. Mourinho and his players will therefore need to maintain their consistency if they are to challenge for the title.

Real Madrid have not won La Liga since the 2023-24 campaign, leaving Mourinho with the task of rebuilding a side capable of competing with their rivals as the season progresses.

Glen Johnson believes Chelsea should try to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on loan in January, with the former Liverpool defender struggling for regular playing time at Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in June 2025 after coming through the Liverpool academy, with the aim of becoming the Spanish club’s first-choice right-back. However, a series of setbacks has seen him fall behind Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries in the pecking order under manager Jose Mourinho.

Reports suggest Alexander-Arnold is not planning to leave Real Madrid during the January transfer window. A move in the summer could become possible, though, if he continues to spend much of his time on the bench for a side Johnson believes do not value him sufficiently.

Speaking to SeatPick, Johnson said Chelsea could provide the England international with an ideal opportunity to revive his career.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold will definitely be frustrated playing such a small role at Real Madrid this season,” said Johnson.

“Before he went to Madrid, he would have planned on nailing down his spot at right back there, and then they brought in a new right back the summer after he arrived, which will have only frustrated him further.

“Trent is a top-class player, and no top-class player wants to sit on the bench, he wants to be playing regular football. I think he should be a target for Chelsea in January.

“I think they could get him on loan, and it would be perfect for both parties. Chelsea needs a right back at the moment, and Trent needs minutes under his belt.”

Alexander-Arnold has already demonstrated his ability to influence matches in the Premier League, particularly through his passing and delivery from the right side.

Johnson believes Chelsea could benefit from those qualities if Xabi Alonso can help the defender rediscover his best form.

“We’ve seen how effective he can be in the Premier League, and if Xabi Alonso could get him back to his best, it would be a great deal to solve a problem for Chelsea and to get his career back on track,” he added.

Alexander-Arnold is 28 and would ordinarily be expected to be playing regularly during his prime. Instead, he remains a substitute at Real Madrid as the club prepares to face Celta Vigo following the international break.

Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal has answered a question about the areas in which he still needs to improve.

Bernal started Barcelona’s 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico in the 12th round of La Liga. The midfielder played 74 minutes but did not register a goal or assist.

Real Madrid forward Carlos Espi has spoken positively about working under head coach Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish club signed Espi from Levante for 25 million euros, with the striker agreeing to a five-year contract.

Carlos Espi has spoken about his move to Real Madrid, saying he had opportunities to join clubs in the Premier League before the Spanish giants emerged as an option.

“There were options in the Premier League, but then Real appeared,” the Spanish forward said.

The 21-year-old joined Real Madrid from Levante last summer in a deal worth 25 million euros.

Espi signed a five-year contract with the Madrid club after completing the transfer.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia said it was important for the club to secure victories over Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona beat Aston Villa 3-0 before following up with a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.

After 12 matches, Barcelona lead the Spanish league with 33 points. They are three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s next match is against Villarreal on 22 November. The 13th-round fixture will begin at 16:00 Moscow time.

Real Madrid forward Endrick has reaffirmed his commitment to Brazil, describing representing the national team as “my greatest passion, my greatest joy” amid continued speculation about his future.

The 20-year-old has won 24 senior caps for Brazil and is competing for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side. He is expected to be involved when Brazil face Japan next week, with the forward hoping to secure another start under the manager.

Endrick made his Brazil debut against Colombia in November 2023. Four months later, he scored his first international goal against England at Wembley in March 2024.

Reports during the past month have raised questions about both his position at Real Madrid and his place in the Brazil squad. Endrick, however, has made clear that his ambition remains closely tied to the national team.

“There’s nothing better than being in the National Team. Playing for the National Team is my greatest passion, my greatest joy. I always hope to be able to help the National Team,” Endrick said.

“Wherever I’m called up, I’ll go, because I’ll be defending the National Team, whether it’s the Olympic or the main team, in every opportunity I have to defend the National Team, throughout my career, until I retire.”

Brazil have endured a difficult period by their standards. Their most recent major honour was the 2019 Copa America, while their last World Cup triumph came in 2002.

Endrick also reflected on Brazil’s previous meeting with Japan, describing the match as an important moment in his international development. Brazil fell behind but recovered to secure qualification.

“That game against Japan was very special. We were behind on the scoreboard, but we managed to turn it around and secure qualification for Brazil. That was another step I took in my career, with the national team,” he said.

He said Brazil had been aware of Japan’s quality and expected another demanding contest when the teams meet again.

“It was a very good game because we knew about Japan’s quality. This next one won’t be any different. They have many very experienced and very good players. I hope we can do our best to come away with the victory.”

Endrick’s stated willingness to accept any Brazil call-up also extends to the Olympic team, as well as the senior side. He said he would continue to represent the national team whenever selected, through the remainder of his career and until retirement.

Atletico Madrid are prepared to offer 18-year-old midfielder Gabriel Obama a new contract, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

Romano reported the development on social media after Obama scored four goals and provided an assist in the youth championship. The midfielder’s performances have also attracted the attention of clubs across Europe.

Obama is currently contracted to Atletico Madrid until the summer of 2028 and plays for the club’s Atletico U19 side.

Atletico Madrid’s senior team are third in the La Liga table with 28 points.

Former Lokomotiv Moscow president Olga Smorodskaya believes 21-year-old Russian midfielder Alexey Batrakov is “no worse than Yamal” after his move to Galatasaray.

Batrakov joined the Turkish giants from Lokomotiv last summer in a deal worth 25 million euros.

The midfielder has made 13 appearances for Galatasaray during the 2026/2027 season, scoring six goals and providing four assists.

Real Madrid have declared a profit of €700m while recording a club-record €707m in total spending on staff, including the amortisation of new transfer fees.

The figures underline the financial strength of the Spanish club under president Florentino Perez, whose management of expenditure has set a new benchmark for the organisation.

Real Madrid’s costs have risen as a result of investment in transfers, contract renewals and the amortisation of players’ registration rights. Those commitments place the club among the most ambitious in European football.

However, the increased expenditure is supported by similarly substantial revenues and a highly resilient commercial structure, which continues to provide the club with a stable flow of income.

According to figures published by derbyderbyderby.it, citing 2Playbook.com, the combined cost of wages for all Real Madrid employees, together with amortisation charges relating to new signings, reached €707m.

Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal has identified his club as the best team in Europe, disagreeing with a recent assessment made by Marc Cucurella of Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old Spain youth international’s view comes after Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid at home on 25 October. Despite losing that meeting, Hansi Flick’s side remain top of the La Liga table and are three points clear of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has sustained an injury while with the France national team, the French Football Federation has confirmed.

The midfielder will leave the squad ahead of schedule and return to Madrid for treatment and assessment.

France are due to face Italy away on 12 November in the Nations League. Three days later, Zinedine Zidane’s side will host Turkey.