The former forward of Celta and Feyenoord, Fedor Smolov, shared his thoughts on the challenges faced by Russian players adapting to European leagues, reflecting on his experiences in the Netherlands and Spain.

— How did your adaptation as a Russian footballer in Europe go? It seems like it can be quite mentally challenging.
— To put it simply, the difference primarily lies in mentality when comparing the Netherlands and Spain. Central Europe tends to be colder and more reserved. In countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, it might not be very comfortable for foreigners to live, especially without a community. Having a good command of English significantly eases communication.

At that time, English was the second official language in the Netherlands, and almost everyone spoke it at a competent level. Spain was easier in this regard, as people there are more friendly and welcoming. Thus, I believe that knowing English greatly helps, as well as the willingness to learn the local language. In the Netherlands, we had mandatory Dutch language classes. We also have examples of Latin American players arriving in Russia, who can live here for 8-9 years, play for the Russian national team, and only manage to say, “Hello, goodbye, okay.”

— Are you referring to Mario?
— Well, yes, Mario is a case in point. It’s quite odd, — Smolov remarked in an episode on the YouTube channel BetBoom Esports.