Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Brazilian forward Claudinho expressed his joy at gaining Russian citizenship and extended gratitude to the blue-and-whites for their backing throughout the process.
On February 24, Claudinho and teammate Malcolm were granted Russian citizenship by decree from President Vladimir Putin. The move was celebrated by the club and its supporters, who had followed the players closely as they integrated into Russian football and life in the country.
Claudinho publicly expressed his appreciation, stating that the club and everyone involved in the citizenship process played a crucial role in his decision. He noted that the opportunity would benefit both his personal career and the entire squad, calling the honor a significant milestone. The remarks were reported by Match TV, which highlighted the sense of pride he felt in joining the Russian community.
During the current Russian Premier League season, Malcolm has appeared in 16 matches, tallying 11 goals and 5 assists. Claudinho has contributed 2 goals and 4 assists across 11 appearances. Their performances this season underscored their growing impact in the league and their adaptability to Russian football culture and competition.
Both players, who joined Zenit from abroad, had previously lived in Russia for several years—Malcolm since 2019 and Claudinho since 2021—further strengthening the team’s international core. They are also noted for their achievements with the Brazilian national team, having been part of the squad that won gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. These credentials have helped elevate Zenit’s profile within Russia and abroad.
A former Zenit defender, Maxim Bokov, later commented that the citizenship acquisitions were not pursued solely to play for the Russian national team, emphasizing that the decree reflected broader ties and commitments the players had with their club and country. (Credit: Zenit hierarchy and club communications)