Alexander Mostovoy, former midfielder of Spartak Moscow’s Russian national team, sees no logic in naturalizing for the national team and flirting with foreigners.
I am against Malcolm and Claudinho playing for the Russian national team. So why is everyone around shouting that you need to improve your players? Then let’s all play. There are good legionnaires in CSKA, in Krasnodar, there are still many Brazilians in Zenit, they should all be given passports. It is not clear why the national team needs them, and when we will return to the international arena. It is clear that Malcolm and Claudinho will strengthen the Russian national team, but what is the meaning and logic of that?” Mostovoy quotes. “Match TV”.
In the current season of the Russian Premier League (RPL), Malcolm has attended 16 meetings, where he has managed to score 11 goals and provide 5 assists. Claudinho has scored 2 goals and 4 assists in 11 games this season.
Zenit players themselves started the possibility of obtaining a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Defender Mario Fernandez is considered the most important representative of a naturalized football player in the Russian national team. He played three matches for the national team.
Formerly in the Russian Football Union The Russian national team clarified the situation separately for Malcolm and Claudinho regarding their performance.