Last Updated on September 29, 2026 by Mike
Magomed-Shapi Kamilyevich Suleymanov, commonly known as Shapi Suleymanov, is a Russian professional footballer who plays as a winger and forward for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. Born on December 16, 1999, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Suleymanov developed through the FC Krasnodar academy before building a career that has taken him to Russia, Turkey, Israel, Greece and the United States.
Family occupies an especially important place in Suleymanov’s life. He grew up in a modest household in Makhachkala with his mother, father, sister and grandmother. His father, Kamil Suleymanov, had played football himself before working in roofing, while his mother worked as a seamstress. As an adult, Shapi has built a family of his own: he is married and has a daughter, although he has deliberately kept his wife and child largely away from the public spotlight.
Who Is Shapi Suleymanov’s Wife?
Shapi Suleymanov is married, but his wife’s name has not been reliably disclosed in authoritative public sources.
Reports from Krasnodar in May 2021 documented that Suleymanov had married during the Russian football offseason. The event was not formally publicized by the player, but photographs from the wedding appeared on social media through guests and football-related accounts.
The marriage was particularly notable because Suleymanov had publicly discussed getting married as one of his personal goals for 2021 just a few months earlier. Despite becoming a well-known footballer, he continued maintaining considerable privacy around his relationship and did not introduce his wife publicly through his club.
His marital status has since been confirmed directly through more recent interviews. While discussing his life in Greece and later Kansas City, Suleymanov openly referred to his wife and described spending his free time exploring different places with her and their daughter.
Shapi Suleymanov and His Wife’s Private Relationship
Suleymanov’s approach to marriage is notably private. Unlike footballers who regularly feature their partners in interviews or promotional content, he has kept his wife’s identity almost entirely outside football media.
Sporting Kansas City has nevertheless provided glimpses into their life together. In a club feature, Suleymanov explained that his days away from football are often devoted to his family. He enjoys exploring Kansas City with his wife and spending time with their daughter, including visits to places such as the zoo.
His comments suggest that moving between countries has been a family journey rather than simply a sequence of football transfers. His wife was with him during his period in Greece with Aris Thessaloniki and later accompanied him after he moved to the United States.
Does Shapi Suleymanov Have Children?
Yes. Shapi Suleymanov and his wife have a daughter.
Suleymanov became a father for the first time in May 2022. At the time, FC Krasnodar’s official communication channels congratulated the winger and his family on the birth of his daughter.
The child’s name has not been reliably published, and Suleymanov has generally avoided putting identifying details about her into the public domain.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Daughter
Suleymanov’s daughter was born in May 2022. In a later interview, the footballer confirmed that she had turned three in May 2025, reinforcing the timing of her birth.
While discussing his period with Aris in Greece, Suleymanov recalled attempting to visit the Acropolis in Athens with his wife. The family changed its plans because their daughter became tired and wanted to sleep.
The anecdote provided a rare glimpse into Suleymanov’s life as a father. He emphasized during the same interview that family is the most important thing in his life.
By 2026, his daughter is around four years old. Sporting Kansas City has also noted that Suleymanov enjoys spending his days off with her, including taking family trips around the Kansas City area.
How Fatherhood Changed Shapi Suleymanov’s Life
Suleymanov has not spoken extensively about parenting, but the comments he has made demonstrate that fatherhood has become a central part of his life away from football.
His career has required frequent moves between countries. After leaving Krasnodar on loan, he spent time in Turkey with Giresunspor, Israel with Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Greece with Aris Thessaloniki before moving permanently to Sporting Kansas City in 2025.
Those transfers have meant repeatedly adapting to new languages, cities and cultures. Suleymanov has explained that once the initial practical challenges of moving are resolved, he generally adjusts quickly. Having his wife and daughter with him appears to have provided continuity during those changes.
Sporting KC described Suleymanov as a devoted family man, noting that when he is not training or playing, much of his free time is spent with his wife and daughter.
Who Are Shapi Suleymanov’s Parents?
Shapi Suleymanov was raised in Makhachkala by parents from an ordinary working family. In a detailed interview about his childhood, he explained that his mother worked as a seamstress while his father worked in roofing.
The family lived in a modest three-room apartment together with Shapi’s sister and grandmother. Suleymanov described his upbringing as neither wealthy nor poor, presenting his childhood as typical of many families in Makhachkala.
Both parents played roles in his eventual decision to pursue football seriously, although they initially viewed the opportunity to move to Krasnodar differently.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Father: Kamil Suleymanov
Shapi Suleymanov’s father is Kamil Suleymanov.
According to one of Shapi’s early coaches, Kamil had played football himself during his younger years for Sokol Makhachkala. Although he did not go on to build the professional career his son eventually achieved, his experience with the game meant that football was already familiar within the family.
Kamil later worked in roofing. In a 2020 interview, Shapi explained that his father had worked on roofs but was experiencing problems with his leg and had recently undergone surgery.
His father also played an important part in one of the most significant decisions of Shapi’s childhood. When Krasnodar offered the young player a chance to join its academy, his father supported the idea.
Shapi’s mother was initially reluctant because Krasnodar was far from home and there was no guarantee that her son would eventually become a professional. His father, however, encouraged him to try.
After several days of family discussions, they agreed to allow Shapi to pursue the opportunity. That decision ultimately transformed his career.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Mother
The name of Shapi Suleymanov’s mother has not been reliably published, but he has spoken warmly about her importance in his life.
She worked as a seamstress while the family lived in Makhachkala and was initially cautious about allowing her son to leave home for Krasnodar’s academy.
Her concern was understandable. Suleymanov was still young, the academy was far from Dagestan and becoming a professional footballer was far from guaranteed. Shapi nevertheless believed strongly that the opportunity could work and eventually convinced his family to let him attend the trials.
Years later, Suleymanov described his mother as the most important person in his life. His relationship with her has continued to appear in smaller personal stories as well. In a Sporting Kansas City feature, he recalled that as a child he would wake up asking his mother to make him black tea.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Parents and His Move to Krasnodar
Suleymanov began playing football in Makhachkala at around six years old. He spent much of his childhood playing on asphalt pitches and in neighborhood games before joining organized football.
His performances eventually attracted the attention of Krasnodar’s academy. Receiving the opportunity created an important family decision because moving to Krasnodar meant leaving the household in which Shapi had grown up.
His mother feared that the distance and uncertainty could make the move difficult. His father was more immediately supportive, having his own football background and believing his son should take the opportunity.
The family eventually agreed that Shapi should try. He passed Krasnodar’s evaluation and joined an academy that would become one of the most important institutions in his life.
Suleymanov later progressed through Krasnodar’s youth ranks and made his senior debut as a teenager, eventually becoming one of the academy’s most recognizable graduates.
Does Shapi Suleymanov Have Siblings?
Yes. Shapi Suleymanov has at least one sister.
He confirmed his sister’s existence while describing his childhood household in Makhachkala. Suleymanov explained that the family’s three-room apartment was shared by himself, his mother, father, sister and grandmother.
His sister’s name has not been reliably disclosed in established football coverage, and she appears to have maintained a private life outside the attention surrounding her brother’s career.
There is no authoritative evidence confirming additional brothers or sisters, so his sister is the only sibling who can currently be documented with confidence.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Sister
Very little is publicly known about Suleymanov’s sister beyond the fact that they grew up together in Makhachkala.
Unlike Shapi, she has not become a public figure through professional sport, and reliable sources do not provide information about her age, education, occupation or family life.
Because she is a private individual, those details should not be inferred from social-media accounts or from people who share the common Suleymanov surname.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Grandmother
Suleymanov has also publicly confirmed that his grandmother lived with the family during his childhood.
His description of the Makhachkala household included his parents, sister and grandmother all sharing the same apartment. Although her name has not been made public, her presence shows that Suleymanov grew up within a multigenerational family home.
No reliable source provides enough additional information to identify which side of his family his grandmother came from.
Growing Up in Makhachkala
Suleymanov’s childhood took place in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. Football was central to the neighborhood where he grew up.
He recalled playing almost every day on an asphalt surface near garages. Younger children would sometimes be placed in goal when the older boys played, while neighborhood-against-neighborhood matches could attract spectators.
Those informal games helped build the dribbling ability and confidence that eventually became characteristics of Suleymanov’s professional style.
His father’s experience as a former player also meant that the family understood football, even though neither parent came from a wealthy sporting background.
From an Ordinary Family to Professional Football
Suleymanov has repeatedly presented his upbringing as modest rather than privileged. His mother worked as a seamstress, his father worked with roofing and the family shared a relatively small apartment.
His progression therefore depended heavily on footballing ability and the opportunities provided by coaches and academies rather than extensive family resources.
After joining Krasnodar, Suleymanov eventually made his first-team debut at 17. He later became the youngest Russian player at the time to score in a UEFA club competition when he scored against Lyngby in Europa League qualifying.
His career subsequently included memorable Champions League performances, including two goals away against Porto, before he began playing abroad.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Marriage in 2021
By 2021, Suleymanov’s personal life was beginning a new chapter.
In December 2020, the winger had mentioned marriage among his goals for the coming year. Five months later, reports from Krasnodar documented that he had married during his offseason.
Suleymanov did not publicly reveal his wife’s identity, and FC Krasnodar did not initially issue a detailed announcement about the wedding. Most early confirmation came through photographs posted by people who attended the celebration.
The relationship has remained similarly private in subsequent years, although Suleymanov now openly refers to his wife when discussing his family life.
Becoming a Father in 2022
Approximately one year after his marriage, Suleymanov became a father.
FC Krasnodar’s official Telegram channel announced in May 2022 that a daughter had been born into his family and congratulated both mother and child.
The timing was later independently confirmed by Suleymanov himself. In 2025, he said that his daughter had turned three that May.
Despite publicly acknowledging fatherhood, he has avoided revealing his daughter’s name and other personal details.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Family in Kansas City
Suleymanov joined Sporting Kansas City from Greek club Aris Thessaloniki ahead of the 2025 MLS season.
The move brought his family to another country, but Suleymanov has spoken positively about life in Kansas City. He has described the city as particularly suitable for families because of the number of places they can visit together.
Sporting KC’s own profile of the winger highlights that his days away from football often involve his wife and daughter. Trips around the city and visits to the zoo have become part of their routine.
That family stability appears particularly important for a player whose career has involved living in Russia, Turkey, Israel, Greece and the United States.
Why Family Is So Important to Shapi Suleymanov
Suleymanov has stated directly that family is the most important thing in his life.
That statement fits a broader pattern throughout his story. His parents made the decision that allowed him to leave Makhachkala for Krasnodar, his mother remains one of the people he speaks about most affectionately, and his current life away from football centers heavily on his wife and daughter.
His Sporting Kansas City profile even describes him as a devoted family man, contrasting his aggressive and competitive style on the field with the quieter life he prefers away from matches.
Shapi Suleymanov’s Family Life Today
As of now, Shapi Suleymanov is married and has one publicly known daughter, born in May 2022. His wife and daughter live with him as his career continues with Sporting Kansas City, although their names remain private.
His father is Kamil Suleymanov, a former Sokol Makhachkala player who later worked in roofing. His mother worked as a seamstress and has remained one of the most important people in his life.
Suleymanov also has a sister whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, and he grew up alongside his grandmother in the family home in Makhachkala.
From a modest childhood household in Dagestan to raising a family in the United States, Suleymanov’s personal story has developed alongside a football career that has taken him across several countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shapi Suleymanov’s Family
Is Shapi Suleymanov married?
Yes. Suleymanov married in May 2021. He now openly refers to his wife in interviews, although her name has not been reliably made public.
Who is Shapi Suleymanov’s wife?
The identity of Shapi Suleymanov’s wife remains private. Reliable sources confirm that he is married, but her name and personal background have not been publicly documented.
Does Shapi Suleymanov have children?
Yes. Suleymanov has one publicly known daughter who was born in May 2022.
What is the name of Shapi Suleymanov’s daughter?
Her name has not been reliably disclosed publicly. Suleymanov has chosen to keep identifying information about his daughter private.
Who are Shapi Suleymanov’s parents?
His father is Kamil Suleymanov, while his mother’s name has not been reliably published. His father previously played football for Sokol Makhachkala and later worked in roofing, while his mother worked as a seamstress.
Who is Shapi Suleymanov’s father?
Shapi’s father is Kamil Suleymanov. One of Shapi’s early coaches said Kamil played football for Sokol Makhachkala when he was younger.
Who is Shapi Suleymanov’s mother?
Her name has not been publicly established through a reliable source. Suleymanov has said that she worked as a seamstress and has described her as one of the most important people in his life.
Does Shapi Suleymanov have siblings?
Yes. Suleymanov has at least one sister. Her name and other personal information have remained private.
Where is Shapi Suleymanov’s family from?
Suleymanov was born and raised in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. He lived there with his parents, sister and grandmother before leaving to join the Krasnodar academy.
Does Shapi Suleymanov currently play for Sporting Kansas City?
Yes. Suleymanov joined Sporting Kansas City from Aris Thessaloniki ahead of the 2025 MLS season and remains part of Sporting KC’s senior roster.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
