Coluna do Fla
·5 September 2025
Happy at Zenit? Player reveals truth about Gerson in Russia

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·5 September 2025
Flamengo announced the departure of Gerson on July 4, 2025, after Zenit (RUS) paid the player's release clause. Since then, part of the red-black fans have been questioning whether the midfielder is satisfied with the decision. A player for the Russian club, full-back Douglas Santos assured that the ‘Joker’ is happy with the team.
— Zenit is a great club that welcomes foreign players very well. I have been there for six years, and every year they improve on this matter. They are even learning Portuguese to welcome Brazilians well. Certainly, Gerson was also well received and is happy -, said Douglas Santos, in an interview in the mixed zone.
Gerson joined Zenit in July, after the FIFA Club World Cup. Wearing the number 9 jersey for the Russian club, the midfielder has already played in six matches, still without scoring goals or providing assists. It is worth noting that the ‘Joker’ started in four opportunities, with 341 minutes on the field.
Presented as a new reinforcement for Zenit, Gerson leaves Flamengo after more than two years wearing the Sacred Mantle. Adding up both stints at Gávea, the midfielder has played 253 matches, with 19 goals and 34 assists. Additionally, the red-black captain won: one Libertadores, two Brazilian Championships, one Copa do Brasil, four Carioca Championships, three Brazilian Super Cups, and one South American Recopa.
Despite the desire to keep Gerson, Flamengo could not prevent the midfielder's departure, as Zenit paid the midfielder's release clause. Thus, the Most Beloved received 25 million euros (about R$ 160 million at the current exchange rate) from the Russian club.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.