Davai Davai! Mauricio worked as a taxi driver for charity

The Brazilian midfielder became the latest hero of the joint charity project between Zenit and the Rusfond charity. The fans of the blue-white-sky blues and viewers of a local St.Petersburg TV channel were able to raise the 3.2 million rubles (more than $50,000) needed for prosthetics for Angelina and so, the footballer kept his promise.
On 12 October Mauricio become a real life taxi driver around the streets of St.Petersburg! The Brazilian took five fares through the streets of Petrogradka, the historic centre of the city. His passengers were the winners of a club competition, being selected after sending in a video saying why they wanted to take his cab. Zenit-2 manager Vladislav Radimov also got a lift from Mauricio's special taxi.

"It was very nice and fun," said Mauricio. "I became a taxi driver for the day and learned the city even better. If you need anything again, I'm happy to do whatever is needed, because even small efforts to help those in need can make a difference. This was a new experience that I'll remembered for a lifetime." 



"It was interesting and entertaining, but we should remember why this was done today," said Radimov. "To benefit children in need and it is absolutely worth it. I was very surprised that Mauricio is very fluent in Russian and understands everything. This makes it a plus, because it shows he respects our country and culture."

The charity project  Davai Davai!" Is a joint initiative of Zenit and Rusfond and was launched in January 2015. Many Zenit stars have already participated including Hulk, who danced on Nevsky Prospekt, Danny who worked as a hairdresser, Yuri Lodygin, who became a guide at the Hermitage, Artem Dzyuba who spent time as a tram conductor and Criscito who performed at the circus.

The total amount raised by the project has totalled around 10 million rubles. ($160,000)
Zenit wish to thank Nissan for providing the car used. 

The full report on Mauricio's charity efforts will appear tomorrow on Zenit-TV