Viktor Claesson, 30, has been a member of the Swedish national team since Janne Andersson took over as national team captain in 2016.
For the past five years, Claesson has lived in Russia and played for Krasnodar, but after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year, Claesson has chosen to leave his Russian hometown.
- It felt wrong to be in the country that goes in and fights in another country.
Morally, they did not want to stay, what is happening is terrible of course and they do not think it will happen in 2022.
Afraid to talk
After Russia's invasion war, the sports world has joined in solidarity with Ukraine.
Claesson recalls, however, that it was far from obvious to stand up for Ukraine while he was still in Russia.
- It is clear that there was a fear for me as well.
As long as you stayed, you do not want to say anything that could jeopardize your own safety.
In any case, they wanted to keep a low profile as long as they remained in Russia.
On Swedish soil, however, Claesson feels confident in showing support for Ukraine.
- It is good if as many as possible can take a stand.
We will show our support for Ukraine on Thursday and the more people who take a stand, the better.
Business was closed
Claesson remained in Russia for a few days after the war broke out and at first did not notice much.
- It was probably more that the airspace closed and that you could not fly from there.
But then came the sanctions and it was shut down more and more.
So in that way you noticed it.
The ruble lost value and the interest rate soared.
Claesson, who had a Russian employer, says that he himself got away with it.
- I have had to break the contract, which would expire this summer, not but no more than that.
So I have gotten away with it quite easily compared to many others.
Want to stay abroad
The 30-year-old outer midfielder does not believe that the Russian football market will attract foreign professionals in the next few years.
- As it looks right now, I have a very hard time seeing it for many years.
They are not in the European Cups which gives a lot of money to the team and the attractiveness to want to play there.
It will not attract foreigners to get there as it looks right now anyway.
Claesson, who has trained with the parent club IFK Värnamo in recent weeks, has not finished with a new club and he does not close the door completely for an all-Swedish stay.
- The ambition is to stay abroad, but I do not want to exclude anything and right now the focus is on the national team here.
Claesson has played 56 international matches in which he has scored 11 goals.