Daniel Carvalho, the former CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder, offers insight into why a notable number of Brazilian players have found a long-term home in the Russian Premier League (RPL). In an interview with Sports Express, Carvalho reflects on his own time at CSKA and the broader appeal Brazil’s talent pool holds for top Russian clubs. He notes that CSKA’s squad in its prime included multiple Brazilians who helped drive several trophy campaigns and high-level achievements.
“During our peak years at CSKA, we even had seven Brazilians on the roster,” Carvalho explains. “And we won a lot. It is easier to assemble around 50 Brazilian players in the RPL than to field a single Russian player in the Brazilian league. There are two key reasons for this reality: Russian clubs have the financial resources to attract talent, and Brazilian players often seek opportunities abroad that match their ambitions.” Carvalho observes, shedding light on the economic and career dynamics behind the trend [Sports Express, attribution].
Carvalho’s CSKA journey spans 2004 through 2010, a period marked by domestic supremacy and continental success. Wearing the red-dark blue colors, he helped CSKA claim the Russian championship twice. He also contributed to three Russian Super Cup victories, captured four national cup titles, and was part of the squad that celebrated a UEFA Cup triumph. His tenure at CSKA is remembered as a full trophy cabinet that reflected the club’s status as a continental powerhouse during those years [Sports Express, attribution].
On March 25, Carvalho, then 40 years old, played for CSKA in a friendly against an amateur side, 2Drots, a match that finished 2–1 in favor of the opponents. The game served as a reminder of the club’s ongoing ties to its former stars and the broader Russian football ecosystem that continues to welcome players from Brazil and beyond [Sports Express, attribution].
Today, CSKA remains competitive in the Russian Premier League, sitting in the upper tiers of the standings with a reportable point haul. The club’s history of success and its willingness to recruit talent from Brazil has contributed to the RPL’s reputation for bringing in skilled international players who help raise the level of competition and expose Russian football to new tactical influences and styles. The ongoing relationship between CSKA and Brazilian players illustrates a broader pattern in which Russian clubs balance financial strength with a global scouting network to assemble squads capable of challenging for titles and competing in European tournaments [Sports Express, attribution].
Looking back, Carvalho’s words paint a clear picture of the football market realities that shaped the RPL’s player recruitment. The combination of deep financial backing from Russian clubs and a vast pool of Brazilian talent created a steady flow of players seeking new horizons. For observers, this dynamic helps explain why Brazilian footballers have left an enduring mark on Russian football, contributing to CSKA’s success and to the league’s evolving identity on the world stage [Sports Express, attribution].