The meteoric rise and dramatic collapse of a Russian football club built on gold
In short: Founded in 1991, FC Anzhi Makhachkala once shook the football world by signing global superstars like Samuel Eto'o and Roberto Carlos. Yet, this ambitious project, fueled by billionaire investment and dreams of European glory, eventually crumbled under financial strain, leading to the loss of its professional status in 2022.
Based in the Dagestani capital, the club was established in 1991 by Aleksandr Markarov and Magomed-Sultan Magomedov. Its name, Anzhi, means pearl in the local Kumyk language and serves as an ancient name for the city of Makhachkala. For years, the team navigated the lower tiers of Russian football, eventually reaching the Premier League for the first time in 2000.
The club's trajectory shifted dramatically in January 2011 when billionaire Suleyman Kerimov acquired the team. Kerimov poured massive resources into the club, aiming to build a 40,000-seat stadium and signing high-profile talent. By 2013, the squad featured stars like Willian and Samuel Eto'o, who reportedly commanded a world-record annual salary of €20.5 million. Despite these efforts, the team struggled to maintain its momentum, and by August 2013, Kerimov drastically cut the budget due to health concerns and a lack of on-field success.
The resulting firesale saw key players transferred to rivals, leading to a disastrous 2013–14 season where the club finished last in the league. While they briefly returned to the top flight, the club faced persistent financial instability and licensing failures. By June 2022, the Russian Football Union denied the club a license for the second-tier league, effectively ending its professional status. Today, the Anzhi brand continues in the amateur ranks, kept alive by local supporters and a partnership with a media football team.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: FC Anzhi Makhachkala
- Also: Wikidata — FC Anzhi Makhachkala · CC0
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