Naturalized Brazilian Zenit player Claudinho said he does not consider himself Russian
The Brazilian striker of Zenit Claudinho answered the question about feeling Russian. His words are quoted by Sport24.
The naturalized football player said that he does not consider himself Russian, despite the fact that he received Russian citizenship.
Claudinho changed his citizenship to Russian in February 2023. At the same time, another Brazilian player, Malcolm, received a passport.
Claudinho has been playing for Zenit since 2021. Together with the club, he won the Russian championship twice and became the owner of the country’s Super Cup. This season, the midfielder has scored five goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
On February 28, 2022, the International Football Federation and the Union of European Football Associations excluded Russian teams and clubs from international tournaments. Domestic teams do not play in European competitions, and the Russian team was deprived of the opportunity to compete for reaching the finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Source: Lenta
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