From Brazil, with love

Zenit has this amazing connection with Brazilian players in the Champions League. Where does that comes from?

Malcolm: Well, I think every Brazilian who played for Zenit left a mark here. Because it’s a big club here in Russia, and now they’re becoming more and more important in Europe as they’ve played in the Champions League for the past four seasons in a row.

Hulk was a trailblazer when it comes to Brazilians in Russia. Were you inspired by him?

M: A lot of people have mentioned his spell at Zenit. We got to watch many of the amazing goals he scored, both in the Russian league and the Champions League. Hopefully we’ll follow in his footsteps. For a Brazilian, things are tough here when you first arrive, but the reason we come here is to lift trophies and to leave our mark at the club.

Wendel, what role did Malcom play when you signed for Zenit?

Wendel: He helped me a lot. When I still had doubts in my mind, he rang me and he told me, “Bro, don’t think twice, just come. Don’t worry about anything, I’m here to help you.” And now he’s a great friend and brother I have by my side within the club.

Malcolm, how did you sell the Russian dream to him?

M: Oh, I told him right away, “Come. That’s one more Brazilian to have around. At least you can have some fun and speak in your native language. So just get here.” It’s a huge signing, for everything he does for us on the pitch. He’s the orchestrator who sets the pace of our attacks. Without him, I don’t think we’d perform the same. Take the match against Malmö, for example. Without him that game would have been a little different, because he gets us on the front foot, he sets the pace. So for us, that was the best signing of the window, because we needed a player like him so much.