Brazilian Malcom told how Messi asked him not to move to Zenit

Former footballer “Zenit” Brazilian Malcom told Diario Sport that eight-time winner of the “Golden ball” Lionel Messi discouraged him from moving to the St. Petersburg club.

Malcom joined Zenit from Barcelona in 2019.

I always tell my friends that I played alongside Messi for a year. It was an incredible experience. He always treated me wonderfully. When I was going to go to Russia, Messi came up to me and said, ‘You have a bright future, you’re going to be a great footballer.’ He asked me to stay. He said: "Stay here, you're one of those Barca players who have the future," Malcom said.

Despite the words of support from Messi, Malcom felt it would be difficult for him to get a permanent practice at Barcelona. “I was young, wanted to play, gain experience and reach my potential. I wanted to prove what I could do on the field. I may not have made the right decision, but I wanted to play regularly, which is why I decided to go to Russia.

Malcom played for Zenit until August 2023, when the St. Petersburg club sold him to Al-Hilal for €60 million. In February of the same year, the Brazilian received Russian citizenship.