Former Spartak Moscow midfielder Maxim Demenko named the three best Brazilian players in the history of the Russian Premier League (RPL). He shared his view with vprognoze.ru.
“First of all, Roberto Carlos is a top-level footballer in any era. The second pick is Hulk, truly exceptional. And the third in the RPL, I believe, is Malcom,” Demenko stated.
Hulk represented Zenit St. Petersburg from 2012 to 2016. He appeared in 148 matches for the club, tallied 77 goals and 59 assists, and helped Zenit win the national title as well as the Russian Cup and Russian Super Cup.
Roberto Carlos played for Anzhi Makhachkala from 2011 to 2012. He took the field in 25 matches for the club, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
Malcom wore Zenit’s colors from 2019 to 2023, during which he claimed four league titles, one Russian Cup, and three Russian Super Cups. On August 3, Malcom transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
There was prior involvement of a French striker with Zenit as well, shaping the club’s recent era. This reflected the broader impact Brazilian players have had on the RPL landscape, contributing to victories and memorable seasons across multiple clubs. The discussion by Demenko highlights how these players are perceived within the league and underscores the enduring connections between Brazilian talent and Russian football.