Malcom's journey in Saudi Arabia, which began as an Eastern fairy tale, is coming to an end. This was reported by Euro-football.ru.
After Simone Inzaghi was appointed as the head coach of Al-Hilal, he immediately emphasized the need to allocate space for new legionnaires. For this reason, Malcom, who was recently seen as the main star of the attack, is being sidelined from the team.
The Brazilian player also seems tired of being tied to the situation. After a difficult defeat against Fluminense and a confrontation with fans, he looked like he was saying goodbye to Riyadh as he headed to the changing room in a state of mental distress.
Against this backdrop, journalist Luis Fabiani recalled rumors that Zenit is considering bringing Malcom back. He stated that about a month ago, the St. Petersburg club was contemplating the return of the player.
The fact that the Brazilian player has Russian citizenship means he is not counted as a legionnaire, which is convenient for the team. However, how favorable is Malcom's return for Zenit when looking at the reality?
The team has undergone significant changes over the past two years. This season, Jerson, who signed a contract, is expected to be the new leader in the attack.
Luis Enrique is firmly establishing himself on the right wing, delighting fans with his dribbling and adapting to Semak's tactics. The left wing has been successfully occupied by Pedro and Mostovoy for a long time.
So, where is the place for Malcom in the current Zenit? Maxim Glushenkov is playing as a forward and midfielder, getting into shape, and may not welcome additional competition.
The team understands that bringing in a player used to being the number one could disrupt the mental balance in such situations. Does Zenit need Malcom?
In fact, his return seems like a beautiful picture that reminds fans of the days of old stars, but it is not firm as a football project. He may receive a warm welcome in St. Petersburg, but as soon as he steps on the field, a fierce battle for the main squad will begin.
Is Malcom ready to prove his leadership rights again, to lead the team, and to withstand criticism in the face of initial failures? On the other hand, Zenit has ambitions to reclaim the championship title and to be a club that can think at the level of the Champions League, which could lead to unexpected steps.
In this context, Malcom's return could be one of the emotional and symbolic steps, but its effectiveness is questionable. By canceling his contract in Riyadh and thinking about the future, Malcom faces a choice: to seek a new challenge in Europe or to try to restore his hero status in St. Petersburg, accepting all the risks.
The period of his Eastern career, which began with great hopes, is ending on a negative note. As he leaves Al-Hilal, leaving behind fans' discontent, Malcom is returning to the point of choice where he left two years ago.
The Brazilian player is standing before the questions of whether Zenit needs him and if he is ready for another trial in a team that has started a new life. Looking at Malcom's statistics at Zenit and Al-Hilal, it can be seen that he has not deteriorated.
Nevertheless, some say: the Saudi Arabian league is of a lower level, while the Russian championship is much higher. These opinions continue to spark debates among football fans.
