Kashchelan: he was worried that in Russia they would be toxic towards foreigners, like in Ukraine
Former Montenegrin footballer and now coach of Paris Nizhny Novgorod Mladen Kashchelan compared the game in Russia and Ukraine. His words are quoted by Sport24.
Kashchelan recalled that he was offered to move to Arsenal Tula in 2013. “I was against it – in 2009 I played in Ukraine, in Karpaty, and I had negative memories: everyone there was very toxic towards foreigners. I was worried that the same thing would happen in Russia,” he said.
The footballer admitted that he was grateful to his wife, who persuaded him to “at least go and see Red Square.” “We had a great team – great atmosphere, great fans, top coach. I quickly adapted; the Russian mentality was close to me. By the way, it seems to me that the Balkans are very similar to the Caucasians – we are just as hot and emotional,” Kashchelan noted.
Kashchelan retired in the summer of 2023 and joined the Paris NN coaching staff. In the fall of 2022, the football player received a Russian passport. In addition to Arsenal, he played for Tosno, Tambov and Baltika.
Source: Lenta
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