Brazilian Legionnaires Zenit Malcom and Claudinho Received Russian Citizenship
The Brazilian legionnaires of the St. Petersburg “Zenith” Malcolm and Claudinho received Russian citizenship. This was reported on the official Internet portal of legal information.
The corresponding decree was signed on February 24, 2023 by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The intention of the two players to obtain Russian passports became known in September 2022.
Related materials:
On February 20, the Russian Football Union (RFU) announced that there is a theoretical possibility that Malcolm and Claudinho will play for the Russian national team. To do this, the Brazilians will also have to change sports citizenship. According to the regulations of the International Football Federation (FIFA), this can be done after five years of residence in Russia, provided that the athletes did not play for the Brazilian national team during this period.
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
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
