FORMER Barcelona forward Malcolm is open to a return to the Nou Camp after suffering racial abuse by his own fans at new club Zenit Saint Petersburg.
The 22-year-old joined the Russian side in the summer for a reported £36m but it got off to a shocking start with him being targeted for vile racial abuse on his debut by the Zenit fans.
It’s reported Malcom was racially abused after moving from BarcelonaCredit: Getty
They had displayed banners and insisted that ‘the absence of black players is an important tradition’.
Since moving to Russia, Malcolm told RMC Sport that he has had contact about a potential return to Spain,
He said: “I have received messages about returning to Barcelona.
“Whenever I was given a chance to play (at Barcelona) I think I did well.
“For that reason, I believe the Barcelona fans still love me.”
The winger has struggled with injuries since joining and has only made two appearances this season.
In 2012, Zenit fans launched a campaign to stop their club buying black and gay players.
It isn’t the first time Russia has had problems with racism. In 2018 Russia were fined £22,000 for racist chants in their friendly with France.
Despite the difficult start to life in Russia, the Brazilian stated he doesn’t have any regrets.
He said: “No, I don’t regret it.
“I’m young and I want to play anywhere, because I like football.
“Zenit are the team who gave me the opportunity to play football.”
Barcelona signed the winger from Bordeaux in 2018 but was sold a year later after falling behind first-choice Ousmane Dembele.
Zenit St Petersburg fans protest at the signing of black player Malcom with shocking racist banner
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
