Ari, a former Brazilian striker who played for Spartak and Krasnodar and later took Russian citizenship, shared a sketch on Instagram after the Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow. In the piece, he depicted his homeland on the background of the Russian flag, a gesture that stirred conversation amid the tragedy.
He offered a message of sympathy: expressing condolences to those who lost loved ones, and extending prayers for those injured as well as a wish for Russia’s recovery. The note reflected a mix of personal grief and national concern during a time of deep unrest.
On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack unfolded at the Crocus City shopping mall. Initial gunfire was followed by a blaze at the concert hall, disrupting what had been planned as a performance by the Piknik group. The incident drew widespread attention and prompted a flood of reactions across the sports and entertainment communities.
Ari, now 36, last appeared for Lokomotiv Moscow on loan, where he contributed to the team’s success during the 2017/18 season as Russian champions. His career also includes appearances for the Russian national team, reflecting a notable period playing in a country far from his birthplace.
From 2022, Ari joined Atlético Cearense, a team competing in Serie C, where he also took on a sponsorship role. The club later faced relegation to Serie D as the season concluded. In 2014 he married Natalya Gryzlova, a Russian citizen, and secured Russian citizenship in 2018, further entwining his professional life with the country he has represented on several occasions.
Earlier, commentator Viktor Gusev shared a photo from the Crocus site shortly after the attack began, capturing a moment in the immediate aftermath and contributing to the rapid spread of information about the event.