Brian Ezequiel Mansilla, the Argentine forward who plays for Orenburg, has informed the club president that he supports pursuing Russian citizenship.
In his own words, Mansilla asked whether he should aim for citizenship of the Russian Federation in the same vein as Vera’s teammate and confirmed that he has given the club president his approval to initiate the process. He added that preparations could begin soon.
Mansilla joined Orenburg in the summer of 2022 after previously competing for clubs in Argentina and in the Portuguese league system. His move marked a transition to the Russian Premier League, where he has since been deployed in a variety of attacking roles.
During the current season, Mansilla has appeared in 15 Russian Premier League games, contributing one goal and five assists. His performances have helped shape Orenburg’s offensive efforts as the team competes in the top tier of Russian football.
The topic of citizenship has also touched other Russian clubs in recent years. Notably, Zenit players Malcolm and Claudinho have explored the possibility of acquiring Russian citizenship. Malcolm has resided in Russia since 2019, while Claudinho has lived in the country since 2021. Both players achieved Olympic success with Brazil, securing medals at the Beijing Games as part of the national squad.
There have been contrasting developments elsewhere as well. Spartak Moscow forward Quincy Promes reportedly faced a denial of a Russian passport and subsequently spent time on trial in the Netherlands as part of his career moves. The passport landscape for foreign players continues to be a topic of interest among clubs and fans alike, influencing transfer strategies and long-term planning.
Lukas Vera, another former Orenburg player, publicly referenced his anticipation of receiving a Russian passport, describing his hopes of advancing the process through official channels. The broader context shows multiple players weighing citizenship options as part of their professional trajectories, with clubs observing these choices within the framework of residency requirements and regulatory policies.