Brazilians Support Ukraine More Than Russia, Says Marcos Pizelli

Former FC Kuban player Marcos Pizelli is confident that Brazilians support Ukraine more than Russia. This statement was made by the Brazilian midfielder, who plays for the Armenian national team, during an interview with Sports.ru. Below is the interview:

- You played for Metalurh Donetsk for several years while at Kuban. Do you still keep in touch with anyone from Ukraine?
“If we speak about Ukrainians, then no. I maintain contact with some Brazilians, Portuguese, and Colombians. Initially, I didn’t speak Ukrainian; it was difficult for me there. I’m in touch with some Russian players, but with no one from Ukraine.”

- What were your first impressions of Russia? Probably, there were not much differences from Ukraine?
“I already knew about that country; I read about where I was going. I didn’t see much difference between Ukraine and Russia. Everything seemed similar to me—the area where I lived and even the language. Therefore, adapting in Russia happened very quickly. The hardest thing that awaited me in Russia was training. It was very tough, at a high level, every player fights until the end. It was similar in Ukraine, but not as difficult. The training sessions at Kuban were real battles. It was a surprise for me. In terms of mentality and lifestyle, Russia and Ukraine are very similar. But there are far fewer fans in Donetsk than in Russia.”

- You have played in both Ukraine and Russia. Are you following the relationship between the two countries? What are people saying about it in Brazil?
“In February 2022, many people in Brazil discussed this topic; now it is no longer the case. According to my observations, Brazilians support Ukraine more than Russia.”