Magomed Ozdoyev was born in Grozny, into an Ingush[2] family, during the year of 1992, but had been forced to abandon Chechnya as for the result of the First Chechen War, which Russian military engaged against Chechen separatists supporting the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, during these times, his football passion was cherished and tutored under his father, Mustafa. It was considered as the hardest experience for Magomed himself, in an appearance on Russia-1's program in 2017, prior to 2018 FIFA World Cup.[3]
On 7 Aug 2023, Ozdoyev joined PAOK FC in Greece. On 7 April 2024 he scored the tying goal against AEK Athens securing a 2-2 away tie.[12]
International career
On 11 May 2012, Ozdoyev was named to the Russia's provisional squad for the UEFA Euro 2012. It was the first time he was called up to the national team. He was not included on the final official squad for the competition. He has become the first Ingush to be called to the Russian national team. He made his national team debut on 3 September 2014 in a friendly against Azerbaijan. He scored his first national team goal on 15 November 2016 in a friendly against Romania which finished as a 1–0 victory for Russia in the city of Grozny, where he was born.[citation needed]
On 11 May 2021, he was included in the preliminary extended 30-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[13] On 2 June 2021, he was included in the final squad, making history as the first Caucasian Muslim footballer to represent the Russian side in a major competition.[14] He played the full match in Russia's opening game against Belgium on 12 June 2021 as Russia lost 3–0.[15] He again started and was substituted after an hour of play each time in the second game against Finland on 16 June in a 1–0 victory and the last group stage game against Denmark as Russia lost 4–1 and was eliminated.[16][17]
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