Maksim Aleksandrovich Shatskikh is a retired Uzbek professional football player and current football coach of Pakhtakor Tashkent.
A highly accomplished striker, he is widely considered one of Uzbekistan’s greatest footballers. Shatskikh holds the record as the player with the most goals for the Uzbekistan national team, scoring 34 goals in 61 appearances.
On July 28, 1999, he made history by becoming the first Asian player to score in the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, he is only the second Uzbek player, after Mirjalol Kasymov, to score in UEFA competitions.
File
- Full name: Maksim Aleksandrovich Shatskikh
- Stage name: Maksym Shatskikh
- Date of birth: August 30, 1978
- Age: 46 years old
- Place of birth: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Nationality: Ukrainian, Uzbek
- Occupation: Uzbek football coach and player
- Height: 1.86 m
- Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Shatskikh
- Siblings: Oleg Shatskikh
- Spouse: Unknown
- Children: Unknown
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: Unknown
Early life and education
Maksim Aleksandrovich Shatskikh was born on August 30, 1978 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Shatskikh, although their full names are not made public. Maksim has an older brother, Oleg Shatskikh, who also pursued a professional football career.
Shatskikh has an educational background in sports coaching. In 2015, he completed the training course, qualifying him to take on the role of head coach in the first and second divisions or assistant coach in higher leagues. He is ethnically Uzbek and his religious beliefs have not been publicly disclosed.
Career
Maksym Shatskikh began his football career in 2009 and quickly became one of Uzbekistan’s most notable players. After playing for clubs in Uzbekistan and Russia in the early stages of his career, he was signed by Dynamo Kyiv of the Ukrainian Premier League in 1999 as a replacement for legend Andriy Shevchenko, who was bought by AC Milan again.
Shatskikh’s first season with Dynamo was a memorable one, as he scored two crucial goals in a 3–2 win over Karpaty Lviv, helping Dynamo win their 8th consecutive league title. His first season also saw him win the Ukrainian Premier League and be crowned top scorer with 20 goals.
In the following seasons, Shatskikh continued to play excellently in Ukraine. In the 2002–03 season, he scored 22 goals, equaling the record set by Serhii Rebrov in the 1997–98 season. Shatskikh’s performances in European competitions were also notable, with five goals in the inaugural UEFA Champions League season 1999–2000 marking a milestone.
After a brief spell in the Kazakhstan Premier League with Lokomotiv Astana during the 2009 season, Shatskikh returned to Kyiv, where he was signed by FC Arsenal Kyiv during the winter break. At Arsenal Kyiv, he scored his 100th league goal, cementing his legacy as one of Ukraine’s top players.
Shatskikh’s career continues to flourish in the Ukrainian Premier League. On 30 December 2013, he signed a 2.5 year contract with Hoverla Uzhhorod. During his time with Hoverla, he scored his 122nd Ukrainian Premier League goal in a 2–2 draw against Karpaty Lviv on 27 July 2014.
His career is also notable for his international achievements, most notably becoming the first Asian player to score in the UEFA Champions League on 28 July 1999. He is also the second Uzbek player, after Mirjalol Kasymov, scored in UEFA football tournaments.
At international level, Shatskikh has made significant contributions to the Uzbekistan national team. He represented his country in three editions of the AFC Asian Cup, helping Uzbekistan achieve fourth place at the 2011 tournament.
Known for his ability to choose between playing for Uzbekistan or Russia, Shatskikh chose to represent his homeland. He was recognized as one of the top three players in Asia in 2005. During his international career, Shatskikh became Uzbekistan’s all-time top scorer, scoring 34 goals in 61 attempts. out on the field.
Some of his most memorable performances include his five-goal performance against Taiwan in 2007, the crucial goal in the 7–3 win over Singapore in a World Cup qualifier in 2008, and the winning goal in net against Iran in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, helping Uzbekistan win a ticket to the net. position in the playoffs.
Shatskikh played his farewell match for the national team on 29 May 2014 in a friendly match against Oman, officially retiring from international duty with 61 caps and 34 goals.
After finishing his playing career, he turned to coaching and joined the coaching staff of the Dynamo football academy on 8 April 2016. His legacy as one of the football players Uzbekistan’s greatest footballer still exists, through his achievements in the national team and his contributions to Ukrainian football.
Social Media
Maksym Shatskikh does not have any active social media accounts.
Personal life
Maksym Shatskikh is known to be married and has children. However, specific details about his spouse are not made public and little is known about his personal life.
Net worth
Maksym Shatskikh’s net worth and financial status are not publicly disclosed. However, as a successful footballer and coach, it is likely that he has amassed considerable wealth over the years.
His playing career, especially during his time at Dynamo Kyiv where he achieved considerable success, will contribute to his financial situation. Additionally, his current coaching role at Pakhtakor Tashkent suggests he will continue to be involved in senior football, which could provide him with a steady income.
