Sport-Express: Malcolm and Claudinho approved the acquisition of Russian citizenship
Brazilian Legionnaires “Zenith” Malcolm and Claudinho approved the acquisition of Russian citizenship. This was reported by “Sport-Express”.
According to the publication, players will be issued new passports in the spring of 2023. It is specified that the desire to become citizens of Russia was expressed by the players themselves, and the club supported this initiative. At the same time, according to the current rules of the International Football Federation (FIFA), they will not be able to change sports citizenship and play for the Russian team. This is impossible, since both Malcolm and Claudinho have already played in official tournaments as part of the Brazilian national team.
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The intention of the players to obtain Russian citizenship became known in September 2022. Former striker of the Russian national team Ari, now representing the Brazilian Atlético Cearense, said that Brazil condemned this decision of the athletes.
Malcom has been playing for Zenit since 2019. As part of the St. Petersburg team, he became a three-time champion of Russia, won the country’s Super Cup three times and became the winner of the Russian Cup. Claudinho joined the Blue-White-Blues in 2021 and, together with the club, became the champion of Russia and the owner of the Russian Super Cup.
Source: Lenta
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