Vladimir Putin has been honored by Serbia's largest sports club, Red Star Belgrade, with a dedicated plaque at their home stadium. The plaque commemorates his visit on March 23, 2011, during a friendly match between Red Star and Zenit St. Petersburg, highlighting a pivotal moment in the club's history with ties to Russia. The decision to honor Putin has surprised many fans, reflecting the club's historical relationship with the Russian government.

Red Star's strong connection to Putin stems from the financial support the club received from Russia in the early 2010s. The Russian state energy company Gazprom became the main sponsor of Red Star during a financially challenging period for the club, contributing 2.3 million euros annually. This sponsorship was part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties between Serbia and Russia, particularly in the realm of sports and energy cooperation.

Putin's visit to Red Star coincided with diplomatic negotiations on energy matters, further intertwining sports, politics, and economics. By adding photographs of Putin to their football museum, Red Star is not only honoring a significant historical figure but also reinforcing the club's branding as a symbol of Serbian-Russian solidarity, which could have implications for its fan engagement and broader nationalistic sentiments in Serbia.