Former Russian national team player Andrey Arshavin commented on the news that Zenit players Malcolm and Claudinho have become Russian citizens, saying that he does not support the idea of naturalizing the players. Transmits words “Sport Express”.
“How do I feel about the citizenship of Malcolm and Claudinho? I’m taking it slowly. Will it help the national team? You know my attitude, I’m against naturalized players,” said Arshavin.
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 33 matches for the national team.
Former ex-player of the Russian national football team Vladimir Bystrov commented The news that Malcolm and Claudinho received Russian citizenship.