In exactly one month, on February 24, 2025, exactly three years will have passed since Russia it brutally attacked Ukraine, destroying its territories and killing many innocent people to this day. Nevertheless, in football Russian league there is no shortage players foreigners who apparently don't care about the tragedy happening on Ukrainian soil. Currently, there are as many as 174 of them (according to data from the transfermarkt.de website).
One of them rejected the Premier League for Russia, the other is leaving it, but not because of the war
Recently, there was a lot of talk about the Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique, who exchanged Botafogo Rio de Janeiro for Zenit Saint Petersburg for over 35 million euro. And this despite the fact that he also had offers, among others: from Italian Fiorentina or Premier League clubs. Now, however, his compatriot, 27-year-old Claudinho, has left the same club.
The attacking midfielder was one of those players who decided not to leave Putin's country after the Russian aggression. He came to Saint Petersburg in the summer of 2021 from Brazil Red Bull Bragantino. He had never played in Europe before. Since then, he has played as many as 124 games for Zenit, scoring 21 goals and making 31 assists. What convinced him to leave was not the war, but an offer from Qatar's Al-Sadd, which paid the Russians 20 million euros for him.
The Brazilian thanks the Russians. “I felt at home here”
Claudinho decided to say goodbye to Zenit fans and Russia in general, leaving a message that was reported by the club's media. The Brazilian does not hide his affection and love. – I would like to thank all Zenit fans for your support and love. You made me feel at home in Russia from the first day. I felt this way all the time, thanks to your support. We have achieved a lot during my time here and I hope Zenit will continue to win. I'm leaving, but my heart stays with you because I was very happy here, wrote the Brazilian.