Emil Nazim ogly Balayev (; ; born 17 April 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Neftçi. Born in Russia, he plays for the Azerbaijan national team. He was selected as the footballer of the year in Azerbaijan in 2019.
Club career As a youth player Balayev was a member of Neftçi youth system, before he was promoted to the first team in 2011. Balayev made his debut for Neftchi in an Azerbaijan Premier League match against Sumgayit in September 2012.Sumqayit vs. Neftchi 3 - 2 In 2013 Balayev was sent on a season loan to Araz-Naxçıvan.
Balayev moved from Neftçi to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2014.Эмиль Балаев перешел в Айнтрахт However, he failed to make an appearance for the club and was released in June 2016.
In January 2019, Balayev moved from Sabail to Kazakhstani club Tobol. He made his professional debut for Tobol in the Kazakhstan Premier League on 9 March 2019, starting in the home match against Irtysh Pavlodar, which finished as a 3–0 win. On 31 January 2020, Balayev left Tobol by mutual consent.
On 3 March 2020, Zira announced the signing of Balayev on a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.
On 10 July 2020, Balayev signed a contract with Qarabağ FK. On 3 March 2022, Balayev left Qarabağ.
On 4 March 2022, Kazakhstan Premier League club Turan announced the signing of Balayev. Balayev left Turan in June 2022.
On 28 June 2023, Neftçi announced the return of Balayev on a two-year contract. On 26 June 2025, Balayev signed a new one-year contract with Neftçi.
International career Balayev was called up to the Azerbaijan national team for the first time in September 2013 for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Israel.Israel vs. Azerbaijan 1 - 1 He made his International debut in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia on 9 September 2019.
Balayev was included in the squad of hosts Azerbaijan's under-23 team at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, in which Azerbaijan went on to win the gold medal.
Balayev made his Azerbaijan debut in 2019 against Croatia in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNeftçi2012–13Azerbaijan Premier League200000—202014–15Azerbaijan Premier League900000—90Total1100000—110Sumgayit (loan)2011–12Azerbaijan Premier League0000——00Qarabağ (loan)2013–14Azerbaijan First Division8030——110Eintracht Frankfurt2015–16Bundesliga0000—0000Qarabağ2016–17Azerbaijan Premier League000000—00Sabail2017–18Azerbaijan Premier League24020——2602018–19Azerbaijan Premier League14020——160Total38040——420Tobol2019Kazakhstan Premier League3103020—360Zira2019–20Azerbaijan Premier League10———10Qarabağ2020–21Azerbaijan Premier League1202000—1402021–22Azerbaijan Premier League500000—50Total1702000—190Turan2022Kazakhstan Premier League10———10Sabail2022–23Azerbaijan Premier League33020——350Neftçi2024–25Azerbaijan Premier League5010——60Career total145015020001620
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsAzerbaijan201300201400201500201700201800201950202040202140202200202310Total140
Honours Neftchi Baku Azerbaijan Premier League: 2012–13 Azerbaijan Cup: 2012–13
Araz-Naxçıvan Azerbaijan First Division: 2013–14
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan U23 Islamic Solidarity Games: 2017
Individual Azerbaijani Footballer of the Year: 2019
References
External links