Jhon Duran's Zenit Debut Marred by Wrestling-Style Altercation
In a startling turn of events, Colombian forward Jhon Duran's debut for Zenit St Petersburg was overshadowed by a bizarre incident that resembled a wrestling move more than a football tackle. The 22-year-old, on loan to the Russian club, found himself at the centre of controversy just five minutes into a pre-season friendly against Shanghai Port.
Incident Details and Match Context
The match, which Zenit ultimately won 6-0, took an unexpected turn when Duran became embroiled in a physical confrontation with an opposing centre-back. What began as routine grappling quickly escalated, with the striker grabbing his opponent around the neck before forcefully hauling him to the ground. This aggressive manoeuvre, captured on video and widely shared on social media, risked immediate dismissal in a competitive fixture.
Fortunately for Duran, the referee exercised leniency given the friendly nature of the encounter, allowing him to remain on the pitch. However, the incident has raised questions about the player's discipline and temperament as he embarks on this new chapter of his already turbulent career.
Duran's Rollercoaster Career Trajectory
This latest episode adds to the narrative of Duran's unconventional professional journey. Just last season, he was scoring goals for Aston Villa in the Champions League, attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Chelsea and West Ham United. In January 2025, Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr secured his signature in a £64.5 million transfer, offering a staggering weekly wage of approximately £355,000 until 2030.
Despite an impressive start in the Middle East, where he netted 12 goals in 18 appearances, Duran's career took another odd turn with a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce. Reportedly lured by an even more lucrative salary, he struggled to adapt, scoring only five times in 21 games and eventually falling out of favour. A proposed loan to French side Lille collapsed due to his substantial salary demands.
Zenit Move Amidst European Ban
Duran's transfer to Zenit St Petersburg represents another curious development. A decade ago, joining the Russian club would have been seen as a promising step, given their regular Champions League participation and knockout round appearances in the 2010s. However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the nation's clubs have been banned from UEFA competitions, making it difficult to assess the current standard of the Russian Premier League.
Nevertheless, Duran will play in front of significant crowds, with Zenit averaging nearly 37,000 spectators per home game—a figure comparable to mid-table English Premier League attendance. This move marks his sixth club by age 22, having previously played for Envigado, Chicago Fire, Aston Villa, Al-Nassr, and Fenerbahce.
International Career and Future Prospects
Despite his club career's instability, Duran remains a senior international for Colombia, earning 17 caps and scoring three goals. His talent is undeniable, but incidents like the Zenit debut altercation highlight concerns about his on-field conduct. As he navigates this latest chapter in Russia, the football world watches to see whether Duran can channel his undeniable ability into consistent, disciplined performances or if his career will continue its unpredictable trajectory.
