Putin grants Russian citizenship to Malcom and Claudinho. Zenit applauds

Zenit reported, on Friday, that Malcom and Claudinho, players with Brazilian nationality until then, received their Russian citizenship documents, at a time when it marks the milestone of one year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, approved his citizenship in accordance with the relevant decree. Everyone at Zenit congratulates Malcom and Claudinho for becoming citizens of Russia", can be read in the note published on the official website.

"We wish them good luck and many more victories with the Russia national team," added the St Petersburg club.

It should be noted that the two players have shared a locker room since last season, with the former Barcelona Malcom already representing Zenit since 2019/20, when he left Spain.