Beknaz Almazbekov

Beknaz Almazbekovich Almazbekov (Бекназ Алмазбеков; Бекназ Алмазбекович Алмазбеков; born 23 June 2005) is a Kyrgyz footballer who plays as a forward for Turkish club Galatasaray.

Bishkek
Born in Kyrgyzstan, Almazbekov moved to Turkey as a child, as his brother had received an offer to study at a university there. He had played football in his homeland with Alga Bishkek, and was invited to join Galatasaray shortly after his arrival in Turkey. As he was under 18 at the time, the move came under investigation from UEFA, who found no fault, as Almazbekov had not moved to Turkey solely for football-related purposes.

Galatasaray
In 2019, while playing for the Galatasaray youth team, he made international headlines by deliberately missing a penalty that he felt the referee had unfairly awarded to his team. The following year, after continuing his good form with the Galatasaray youth teams, he was named by the AFC as one of the best young players in Central Asia.

In February 2022, he was promoted to the first team at the age of 16. He made his unofficial debut in a 3–1 friendly loss to Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, as part of the Global Tour for Peace, coming on as a substitute for Emre Kılınç.

In September of the same year, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2005 worldwide.

Almazbekov became the champion in the Süper Lig in the 2022–23 season with the Galatasaray team. Defeating Ankaragücü 4-1 away in the match played in the 36th week on 30 May 2023, Galatasaray secured the lead with 2 weeks before the end and won the 23rd championship in its history.

International career
Almazbekov has represented Kyrgyzstan at youth international level. In May 2022, he was called up to the senior national team for 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification matches.

Personal life
Almazbekov has named former Galatasaray player Wesley Sneijder as an inspiration to him.

Honours
Galatasaray
 * Süper Lig: 2022–23