Midfielder Ulvi Babaev, who plays for Moscow’s Dynamo FC, has declined an invitation to represent Azerbaijan’s national football team, opting instead to continue his career under Russia’s colors.
According to İdman.biz, the 21-year-old midfielder was recently called up to Russia’s U-21 national team and included in an extended roster of 38 players. Babaev has previously represented Russia at youth levels, appearing in nine matches for the U-15 and U-16 squads.
Under FIFA regulations, a player is eligible to change national affiliation if they have not competed in official matches for another country’s senior team.
However, as Sportinfo.az reports, Azerbaijan’s Football Federation (AFFA) had been in contact with Babaev over the past two to three years, seeking to secure his commitment to the national side.
Multiple outreach attempts were reportedly made, including through the player’s father – who ultimately stated that his son’s future lies “exclusively with the Russian national team.”
Following that statement, negotiations between AFFA and the player’s representatives were formally suspended.
