A French international would like to become a Russian citizen

An archive that makes noise. Our colleagues from Hockey Archives reported an interview with Stéphane Da Costa, 35, member of the French hockey team, who has been playing for 10 years in different clubs in Russia. The latter, in an interview with his club magazine, the Automobilist Yekaterinburg, answers questions on several themes, asked by supporters.

One question caught attention. “Would you like to obtain Russian citizenship?” “, a fan asks the French striker. The latter, who has enjoyed playing in Russia for a decade, is not shying away. “To be honest, I would very much like to obtain Russian citizenship. I have been in Russia for ten years and I feel at home there. »

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Stéphane Da Costa, French international, had already made a name for himself last April after returning to the French team for the World Cup and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. As a reminder, he was suspended by the French Ice Hockey Federation (FFHG) due to his contract with a Russian club in the midst of the conflict in Ukraine. The latter had notably written a letter to defend his case to the former Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, who had pleaded the hockey player's cause.

“I'm always happy to play for the national team, but to be honest, my priority is to play for the Avtomobilist, so if I have the slightest health problem, I probably won't go”declared Stéphane Da Costa, still in the same interview. Its participation in the World Cup, which takes place in Denmark and Sweden (May 9-25, 2025), is therefore not assured.

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