Interview with the Brazilian striker “Zenith” Malcolm: success in the RPL, a failed transfer to PSG, the future in Russia

“I don’t think the chance to go to PSG is rare.” Malcolm told for the first time why he did not leave Zenit

In an interview with “Championship” the Brazilian admitted that he was spending the best season in Russia.

Malcolm is one of the main players in Russia this season. He has an unrealistic 12 + 5 in 17 RPL matches, and at the same time he is not a center forward at all. Largely thanks to him, Zenit has no problems with goals. The actions of the 25-year-old Brazilian are truly magic. And in January, the main transfer story of the winter window was launched. PSG approached the player with an offer, but never agreed with Zenit. Right now, Malcolm is definitely the main asset of the Russian league.

In an interview with the Championship, he told how he changed his body this season, about negotiations with PSG, family, Russian language and much more.

Malcom admits: this is his best season at Zenit. How did it happen?

– Malcolm, you’re at the training camp now. I know that football players are divided into two types – those who like to train as much as they like to play. And those who do not like to train at all and enjoy only matches. What type do you consider yourself?
– I am a professional athlete. Therefore, I understand that training is the most important part of preparation. Yes, I love the matches, I love the atmosphere. But at the same time, I understand the importance of training. So the training camp is a part of football for me. I try to do it responsibly.

– By the end of the second training camp, Zenit played quite a few matches. Are you in tune already?
It’s always hard to come back from holidays. Now they have lasted longer than usual. It was harder in Qatar, now there are more friendly games in Dubai. So it got a little easier. But there is accumulated fatigue. However, it is a necessary part of the training process. I feel great. Some matches played completely. We are getting in shape, restoring team ties. I will be absolutely ready for the official matches.

– You will not play in the first official game due to disqualification. Have you already let go of that story with a fight in a match with Spartak?
– It’s a shame that the official matches for me will start later. But I will prepare for them. And the story with Spartak should be forgotten soon. It’s not about football. More like anti-football. This should not be. I’m ashamed of what happened. Because there was such a collision. It does not paint the players and the sport itself. We shouldn’t have behaved like this. I tried to forget about it as soon as possible, but I don’t think it’s fair that I’m missing the cup match.

– You have great statistics – can you call this autumn the best for you at Zenit?
– I’m spending my best season at Zenit. And possibly the best of my career. I feel great. He greatly revised the approach to working outside the football field. Which is not related to the training process. I feel that my body has improved. Never felt so good. And all indicators say that my body is now in perfect shape. This is reflected in the statistics.

– What do you mean when you say that you have revised the approach to work outside the football field?
“First and foremost, it’s about nutrition. I have carefully revised my diet. I have specialists who can help me with this. As soon as he began to eat differently, the body reacted to this. I felt lighter, faster, more resilient. And when you see the result, you want to continue. It is important to see that the work does not go to waste. That change is good. In my case, this is exactly what happened.

– What else?
– I also began to recover differently after training. This is also an important point. About eight months ago, I got a personal physiotherapist who is constantly with me. It helps to think over the plan of all works. This combination – nutrition plus recovery – and gave a sharp jump in development.

– Do you feel that you are already perceived as the leader of Zenit?
– I would not speak in terms of leadership. I feel like I’m doing a great job for the team. I like it. I’m happy that this season everything works out. We have many leaders on the field. Therefore, I would not talk about myself in this vein.

– You say that everyone at Zenit has been very supportive during these years. What is the role of coaches in this?
“Everyone treats me really well. Coaches, players, club staff. At the beginning of my Zenit career, I had an injury, but during that difficult time and after, everyone supported me. It motivates me a lot.

Malcolm and PSG: is he upset about the lack of an offer from Paris and does he see himself in France in the future

– At the end of January, information appeared in the French media that PSG were interested in you. Then Semak said that the club came out to you and discussed a possible transition. How did this story begin?
– PSG approached me directly about a possible transfer. We discussed this with the head coach. Of course, I was glad that such a big European club was interested in me. Everyone works for it.

– But in the end, the French did not make an official offer, although the story dragged on until the end of the transfer window. Did you worry about this?
– No. Not upset and not worried. I have a valid contract with Zenit. I respect him. The club has always dealt honestly with me. Interest from PSG flattered me. It’s just a signal that I’m moving in the right direction. The attention of the top club is significant and characteristic. But I was calm. I waited to see how the situation would develop. The outcome of the story did not affect me in any way.

– Do you understand that offers from such elite clubs are rare? Doesn’t it feel like this might have been that rare chance to move to one of the best teams in the world?
I don’t see this as a rare opportunity. Yes, there is an opportunity. But now it’s in the past. I think if I continue to work as hard as I do, I will still be able to prove myself at the highest European level. There is no thought that this was my only chance to go to a top club.

– With whom did you discuss this story in the St. Petersburg club? What did they tell you?
– We discussed this story with the head coach. It was said that if a specific proposal appears, we will consider it. The club has always been honest with me. We were constantly in touch, no one hid anything from anyone. There was complete agreement on this issue.

– How much are you interested in France in general from a football point of view? Or would you prefer other championships as promotion?
– I love France very much. I had a great time at Bordeaux. The championship and the country are familiar to me. It would not be true to say that I never wanted to go back there. I was warmly received there. But I played in different countries. The option with France would be great in the future. However, I do not close other countries for myself.

– But at least for the next six months you are in Zenith.
– Yes, I understand that I have unfinished work at Zenit. I would really like to celebrate the fifth title with the team and get the second star. The club has done a lot for me, and my task is to get the second star.

Again, I am pleased with the prospect of one day being in the top league again. And again enter the field in the Champions League matches. I understand that this is also due to my work. Perhaps it will happen someday.

– Do you have ambitions?
– If there are no such ambitions, then there may not be any motivation to engage in this business. Such goals should always be. This is what makes you work hard. And show off the best version of yourself.

Family is extremely important to Malcolm. She and her girlfriend went to the child for a very long time

– Judging by your social networks, family is very important to you. And soon you expect replenishment. Does it motivate you more?
“Family is all I have. This is an important motivating factor. I want my loved ones not to need anything. We expect replenishment in May. A son must be born. We plan to name him Gabriel – this is the name of the archangel. We have been moving towards this for a long time. Long tried. Unfortunately, my friend had health problems. The operation took place. After we were told that the chances of getting pregnant are small. But a miracle happened. God sent us a child.

– Will your girlfriend be with you in Russia in the spring or is she already in Brazil now?
– No. She will be in Brazil. All relatives and friends are there. She will be there. The baby will be born in May. I hope I can get myself a few days off to attend the birth. I’m looking forward to it. This is perhaps the biggest dream in life – to become a father.

– Zenit can win the fifth league title and get a second star. Can this be your beautiful finale in Russia or is it just a motivation to start a new stage?
– I live for today. I don’t want to think about a beautiful ending. Now I want to help the team reach this victory. You can’t relax. I don’t think about what will happen after the season.

– Some people think that Zenit has no competitors in the RPL – doesn’t it relax? And if there are competitors – who are they?
– I do not think that there are no competitors in Russia. There are many teams here that can fight, take points. You can’t relax even for a minute. You must be as focused as possible. There were many examples when we played unsuccessfully. When the opponent looked great. It is always difficult to play with teams from Moscow. It’s hard to play away.

– You increasingly speak Russian in club videos. Do you have a teacher now? And there is a chance that sooner or later you will give some kind of interview in Russian?
– The Russian language is a task for me. I tried to master it as quickly as possible, to learn something, but quickly realized that it was very difficult. At the same time, during the time spent in Russia, I heard a lot of words. Tried to make simple sentences. It is clear that in the training process you hear a lot in Russian. And you understand. However, to give an interview in Russian is too ambitious a project for me. So far, I only have enough for short replicas. But I am glad that more and more thoughts I can convey at least in terms of football.