Benjamin Garre, a product of the Manchester City academy who has been playing for Wings of the Soviets, is set to obtain Russian citizenship. A representative for Garre confirmed the news to sports24, noting the midfielder’s strong attachment to his current life in Russia.
According to the spokesperson, Garre will be granted Russian citizenship and is enthusiastic about his situation in the country. The person added that Garre would welcome a chance to represent Russia at the international level, should such an opportunity arise, and would be pleased to wear the national colors.
Garre joined Samara in January 2023. The Argentine footballer, who also holds an Italian passport, has participated in two Russian Premier League matches this season, though he has yet to score a goal in league play.
Garre’s development began in the Manchester City setup, though he did not break into the club’s first team. His early career saw him representing Argentina at junior levels, a pathway that eventually connected him to the Russian league scene. The familial link to football is strong in his story, with a grandfather who was part of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning squad contributing to his footballing heritage.
The topic of players from Zenit pursuing Russian citizenship has been prominent, as reports suggest that some players have explored this option. It is noted that Malcolm has lived in Russia since 2019 and Claudinho since 2021, both having been part of Brazil’s Olympic achievements in the nation’s football landscape. (Attribution: ongoing reporting by domestic sports media)
There were developments involving Spartak Moscow and Quincy Promes, who reportedly faced a denial of Russian citizenship. Promes is currently on trial in the Netherlands, a situation that has kept his citizenship status under scrutiny amid broader discussions about eligibility and residency requirements. (Attribution: coverage by sports authorities)
Additionally, coverage has examined the legal pathways for Promes and other players to acquire citizenship, highlighting the evolving regulatory framework surrounding nationality for foreign players within Russian football. (Attribution: legal-analytical reporting by sports law commentators)