Zenit St. Petersburg’s head coach, Sergey Semak, addressed Malcolm’s remarks about eyeing moves to clubs that compete in European tournaments. The in-depth statement by Semak was shared with RB Sports, reflecting a practical and supportive stance from the club around the Brazilian forward’s potential next steps.
He clarified that if Malcolm receives solid offers, it would be welcomed with happiness by the team. Semak emphasized that a move to a European competition could be a natural progression for a player who has continually pushed himself to compete at the highest level. The coach’s words suggested confidence in Malcolm’s decision-making and a recognition of his ambitions to test himself on bigger stages again.
Malcolm has not closed the door on the possibility of leaving the Neva region to join a club participating in major European contests. He reflected on the past season and his performances, noting a strong level of consistency and form that could open doors to new opportunities. The forward expressed a sense of pride in his work and a readiness to explore paths that would place him back in leagues that feature prominent continental competition.
During the summer, Malcolm, along with Claudinho, indicated a desire to remain with Zenit for the upcoming campaign. As discussions continued, both players explored the possibility of securing Russian citizenship, a move that could simplify future transfers within domestic football while also shaping long-term careers in the league.
In the current Russian Premier League season, Malcolm contributed significantly, recording 16 goals and providing 5 assists across 21 matches. His productive run has underscored his value to Zenit and highlighted why his name often appears in conversations about potential moves to higher-tier European leagues.
Roman Teryushkov, a former member of the Russian State Duma Committee on Physical Culture, commented on the situation, noting his surprise at the ongoing trend of foreign players in the Russian league obtaining Russian sports citizenship. His remarks pointed to broader debates about nationality rules, residency, and the implications for players’ mobility within domestic football.