In the latest season of the Russian Premier League, Sergei Semak earned recognition for his exceptional leadership, while Malcolm, the former striker of Petersburg’s Zenit and mentor to the blue-white-blues, was celebrated as the league’s top player. The Russian Football Union (RFU) officially announced these honors, underscoring the standout performances across the campaign.
Zenit Saint Petersburg was also celebrated as the league’s best team for the season. The brightest young talent award went to Sergei Pinyaev, an 18-year-old offensive midfielder from Lokomotiv Moscow, signaling the arrival of a promising generation in Russian football.
As the 2022/23 season concluded, Semak’s squad clinched the Russian championship, marking Zenit’s fifth consecutive league title and reinforcing the club’s domestic dominance during that period. The triumph reflected not only team depth but also Semak’s strategic acumen in guiding the squad through a demanding schedule and high expectations.
On August 3, Malcolm completed a high-profile transfer to Saudi club Al-Hilal. The deal was valued at 60 million euros, with the full amount required to be paid by the end of the 2023/24 season. This transfer stood out as the most expensive in the history of the Russian Premier League, highlighting the player’s continued value on the European and Middle Eastern football markets.
Malcolm’s journey to Zenit began in 2019 after a move from Barcelona, a transition that helped him become a central figure for the club. During his years in Russia, he contributed to multiple title wins, securing four league championships, lifting the Russian Cup once, and capturing the Russian Super Cup on three occasions. His impact on and off the pitch solidified his status as one of the league’s most influential attacking players of his era.
Rumors and discussions surrounding Malcolm’s departure from Zenit point to a combination of personal and professional considerations. While no single official statement has fully clarified all the motives behind the move, sources close to the club have indicated that strategic changes and new avenues for growth played a significant role. The overall takeaway is that the transfer was driven by a desire to challenge himself in a fresh environment and to embrace new opportunities at Al-Hilal, aligning with a global career path that many top players pursue as they reach peak form. These developments were reported by major football authorities and followed by fans across the sport’s landscape, reflecting the enduring interest in Malcolm’s career trajectory and Zenit’s ongoing evolution as a powerhouse in Russian football.