Ari (footballer, born 1985)

Ariclenes da Silva Ferreira (Арикленес да Силва Феррейра; born 11 December 1985), commonly known as Ari, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Atletico Cearense. Born in Brazil, he played for the Russia national team after being naturalised.

He started his professional career in 2005 with his hometown club Fortaleza, and signed for Swedish club Kalmar one year later. After two and a half seasons in AZ Alkmaar, he played in the Russian Premier League for Spartak Moscow, Krasnodar, and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Club career
Having joined Allsvenskan team Kalmar FF in spring 2006, Ari was the top scorer in the Allsvenskan 2006 with 15 goals, amassing one goal more than compatriot Afonso Alves had the previous season.

On 28 May 2007, Ari signed a five-year contract with AZ for an undisclosed fee. At Alkmaar he struggled to force his way into the first team on a regular basis, but he did win the 2008–09 Eredivisie.

In January 2010 Ari was transferred to Spartak Moscow for €3 million. Despite a successful career at the club, he departed amidst a conflict with management.

On 19 August 2013, he signed a three-year contract with FC Krasnodar. He left Krasnodar on 17 May 2021, after being a key player for eight seasons.

International career
In 2016, after Kosovo's membership in UEFA and FIFA, Ari was offered a chance to play for the Kosovo national team by their coach, Albert Bunjaki. Coincidentally, he was also an assistant coach at Kalmar, Ari's former club. The offer was rejected by the Football Federation of Kosovo's president, Fadil Vokrri.

In July 2017, Ari confirmed his desire to obtain Russian citizenship and represent the Russia national team at the 2018 World Cup. However, the citizenship process was delayed and he received a Russian passport in July 2018. On 12 November 2018, Ari was called up to the Russian squad for the first time for the friendly matches against Germany and Sweden.

Personal life
As of now, Ari is one of three Brazilians who played for the Russian national team, the others being Guilherme Marinato and Mário Fernandes. He and Guilherme can speak Russian.

After Ari was called up to the Russian national team, Pavel Pogrebnyak said: "I don't see the point of this. I do not understand at all why Ari received a Russian passport. It is laughable when a black player represents the Russian national side". Accused of racism, an investigation was subsequently launched, after which Pogrebnyak was fined and put on probation.

Honours

 * Fortaleza
 * Campeonato Cearense: 2005


 * Kalmar
 * Svenska Cupen: 2007


 * AZ Alkmaar
 * Eredivisie: 2008–09
 * Johan Cruijff Shield: 2009


 * Krasnodar
 * Russian Cup: runner-up 2013–14


 * Lokomotiv Moscow
 * Russian Premier League: 2017–18
 * Russian Cup: 2016–17


 * Individual
 * Allsvenskan Top Scorer: 2006 (15 goals)