Alexander Aliyev, a former Lokomotiv Moscow and Ukraine national team player, has been described by Nikolai Naumov, the former president of Lokomotiv Moscow, as a person whose behavior can be volatile due to struggles with alcohol. Naumov shared these remarks in comments to socialbites.ca, noting that Aliyev’s on-field talents were exceptional while his off-field life carried significant personal challenges.
According to Naumov, Aliyev demonstrated remarkable technical ability. He cited Aliyev as one of the strongest players in Europe during his prime, a view Naumov supported not only as a manager but as a veteran observer of elite football. Naumov recalled specific moments from training camps and matches where Aliyev’s skill stood out, including his capacity to convert chances from long range and his proficiency in headers, passing, and shooting. The description painted a portrait of a player with extraordinary natural gifts and a knack for precision under pressure.
Despite this display of talent, Naumov characterized Aliyev’s personality as unpredictable and, at times, volatile. He mentioned that Aliyev was involved in conduct that stretched the boundaries of discipline, both on and off the field, and that such behavior created tension within teams. Naumov referenced friction within Aliyev’s personal life and between him and his spouse, describing ongoing disputes and public-style conflicts that he associated with issues around alcohol use. These accounts formed part of a broader assessment that Aliyev’s personal struggles affected his professional environment.
Aliyev has at times voiced strong political positions, including critical statements about Russia and supportive messages for Ukrainian defense forces. In one recent public video, he urged the Ukrainian military to consider aggressive actions that would impact civilians in the Kursk region. This message underscored the complex public perception of Aliyev, who has used his platform to express controversial opinions that intersect with broader regional tensions.
In his club career, Aliyev moved from Dynamo Kiev to Lokomotiv Moscow in 2010. During his time with Lokomotiv Moscow, the midfielder accumulated 27 appearances, contributing 15 goals and 5 assists, a record that highlighted his contribution to the squad from the railway town. His performance helped secure a reputation for him as a forward with a good sense of positioning and a knack for timely finishes.
Beyond Lokomotiv Moscow, Aliyev also spent a period with Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, appearing in 22 matches from 2014 to 2015, during which he scored 4 goals and provided 6 assists. These stints reflected a career that included diverse experiences across top tier clubs in the region, contributing to a fairly broad international footprint.
For the Ukrainian national team, Aliyev appeared in 28 matches and tallied six goals with five assists. His international career demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level, demonstrating the confidence coaches placed in him during his international tenure. The record shows a player who could influence games on multiple fronts, whether through scoring or creating opportunities for teammates.
Notes about Aliyev’s personal life include statements from his mother, who previously resided in Russia, indicating a period of limited contact between her and her son. Such personal details underscore how a public figure’s private relationships can become part of the broader narrative surrounding a sports career, sometimes influencing public perception alongside on-field achievements. The overall portrayal combines Aliyev’s athletic prowess with the complexities of his personal life and public stance—a reminder that athletes often navigate multiple, sometimes conflicting, roles on and off the pitch.