Douglas dos Santos Receives Russian Citizenship, No Longer Considered a Legionnaire
Brazilian footballer Douglas dos Santos has officially received Russian citizenship, a development confirmed by a decree published on October 21, 2024. This change in status means that he will no longer be classified as a legionnaire while playing for Zenit St. Petersburg, a move that the club has celebrated enthusiastically. The announcement comes amidst a broader trend of naturalization in Russian football, with other foreign players, such as Mario Fernandes and Marinato Guilherme, having previously made similar transitions.
Zenit expressed their congratulations to dos Santos, highlighting the honor of becoming a citizen of Russia and wishing him continued success in the team. The club's head coach, Valery Karpin, has remained somewhat non-committal about the implications of this change, stating, "How do I feel about Douglas dos Santos receiving citizenship? Not yet."
Implications for Zenit and the Russian National Team
The naturalization of dos Santos is particularly significant for Zenit, as the club has faced challenges with the limit on foreign players in the Russian Premier League (RPL). With the addition of dos Santos as a Russian citizen, Zenit can better navigate these restrictions, which require at least three Russian players to be on the field at all times during matches. Prior to this change, the club had included 12 foreign players in their application.
Dos Santos has been a vital part of Zenit since joining from Hamburg in 2019, playing 198 matches and contributing significantly to the team's success, including five RPL titles. His leadership qualities have been recognized by his teammates and coaching staff, leading to his appointment as team captain in 2022. Despite the potential benefits for the national team, some experts, including former Zenit player Alexander Gorshkov, suggest that dos Santos's motivations may not solely revolve around national team aspirations, but rather his commitment to Zenit and his life in Russia.
