Winning everything is the goal

From club triumphs with Birbasha Baku and Azersun to the anticipation of hosting the WMF World Cup 2025, Isayev discusses the journey and how the growing legacy of Azerbaijani minifootball brings both pride and pressure.

1, First of all, congratulations on winning the EMF Individual Award as the Best Defender of the Year. What does that mean to you?

Thank you! Winning the EMF Individual Award as the Best Defender of the Year is truly an honour. It reflects the hard work and dedication I’ve put into improving my game. It’s also a recognition of the incredible support I’ve received from my teammates, coaches and the entire team environment. I’ve always believed that defence is about consistency and teamwork, so this award represents not only individual achievement but also the collective effort of everyone involved.

2, At the EMF EURO 2024, Azerbaijan didn’t defend the European Championship title, but you won the EMF Champions League with Birbasha Baku and the EURO Business Cup with Azersun. It was a pretty successful year, wasn’t it?

Yes, it was a year full of highs! While it was disappointing not to defend the European Championship title with the national team, winning the EMF Champions League with Birbasha Baku and the EURO Business Cup with Azersun made it a very successful year overall. Each of those trophies has its own significance and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved at the club level. We have a strong squad and those victories are the result of great teamwork, commitment and the drive to succeed.

3, Azerbaijan will host the WMF World Cup 2025. What do you hope to achieve with the national team in Baku?

Hosting the WMF World Cup in 2025 is a huge opportunity for Azerbaijan. Personally, I hope to help our national team achieve the best possible result. Playing in front of our home fans and making our country proud would mean everything to me. Our goal is to go as far as possible in the tournament and we’ll be working hard to make sure we’re ready to compete at the highest level. I think we have a great team and the home advantage could really work in our favour.

4, Do you think the success of Birbasha at club level can support the entire national team at the WMF World Cup?

Definitely. The success of Birbasha at club level has proven that Azerbaijani minifootball can compete at the highest standards. Many of us play together in both the national team and club teams, so the chemistry and experience we gain at Birbasha will definitely translate into the national team. The level of competition we face in the Champions League and other top-tier tournaments keeps us sharp and we bring that experience to the national team. I believe it gives us an edge and it boosts the confidence of the whole squad.

5, With the developmemt and successes of Azerbaijani Minifootball in recent years, do you feel pressure to win almost everything?

There is always a certain level of pressure that comes with success, especially when you have a legacy to maintain. But instead of feeling overwhelmed by that pressure, I see it as motivation. Azerbaijani Minifootball has come a long way and we have high expectations, both from ourselves and from our fans. Our focus remains on hard work, staying grounded and preparing for each challenge. Winning everything is the goal, but we understand it’s a process and we take it one match at a time.