Alexander Zuev, a football midfielder who has plied his trade across several leagues, spoke in depth about the reception of Russians in Serbia during a recent interview with Match TV. He described a warmth that goes beyond polite courtesy, noting the long-standing history of good relations between Serbia and Russia. In conversations on the streets or in club lounges, locals often share stories about Russia, weaving cultural threads that surprise visitors and delight lifelong fans of the sport. A playful stereotype about Russian culture — vodka — usually surfaces in casual chats, and Zuev explains how locals sometimes respond with humor, calling him a brother and joking about the ever-present question: “Brother, when is vodka?” This light-hearted banter highlights the lighthearted closeness he perceives between peoples in the region and the way football can bridge cultures.
