A bunker next to the stadium, bombs during the games and “a difficult horror to describe”: this is to play at the Shakhtar Donetsk Ukranian for three years

«I think that the first days I can almost remember them hour per hour, because they are like emotional trauma that is installed in your mind for life. It was a terrible and deeply scary day and that date will be remembered forever by all of us from a heartbreaking perspective, ”he says Mykola matviyenkocaptain of a Shakhtar Donetsk whose region, the DonBass, is perhaps the one that has conceded a more severe punishment during this conflict. Even before the war takes on the form that it currently shows. “It is difficult to describe these feelings with words, only those who have experienced this horror for themselves can really understand it,” insists the 28 -year -old central defense.

“There are teammates who have lost close relatives and friends, people who died defending our land,” explains Matviyenko, who understands very well that in such a situation football is an escape for many compatriots. “Many of our followers are on the front, defending our country, and have repeatedly shared how to see football and encourage us some distraction, even if it is just a bit,” he says.

“We do what we know best, and through our work and our game, we try to shed light on what happens in Ukraine and remind the world that the war is still ongoing and that there are people losing their lives every day,” reiterates the captain. «No one knows how much this will last, but we live for the day it comes to an end. We dream of this, we believe in it, and pray for it, because it is truly frightening, ”he says.

The return of Vinicius Tobias

In March 2022, FIFA allowed foreigners who played in Ukraine to go to other countries. Many did. Among them, the Brazilian Vinicius Tobiaswho arrived at Real Madrid Castilla as a loan and even played a Copa del Rey match with the first white team. Last summer, he returned to Shakhtar. «I had the opportunity to play in the world’s biggest team, I met many people that I never thought I would know, made friends and become a better person. It was a relief to leave Ukraine but if there had been no war I don’t know if he would have had the opportunity to play at Real Madrid. At that time I was very scared for everything that was happening, I was only 17 years old, so it was a relief for me, without a doubt, ”recalls the lane.

«When I filed for the Shakhtar in January 2022 it was the best decision I made. There was no war and I expected nothing to happen, I never thought I would be involved in one, ”he says. The Brazilian thanks, of course, the treatment he received during his stage at the Madrid Club, where he still retains good friends. And he also understands that his current situation can worry his family and closer environment. «Of course my family is concerned about the situation, but they know it is my dream and expect everything will end soon. My family has always let me pursue my dream, whatever the situation, they have always been by my side and they will always be, ”he says.

In the case of Bolivian Diego Arroyohis arrival at Shakhtar Donetsk, this month of February, was not seen at all conditioned by war. “It was an incredible opportunity for my professional career, so I didn’t have to think about it too much,” he explains that the situation is so delicate. “I never imagined to be wrapped in a war zone, but I must say that the club always offers us security and tranquility every day,” he says. That trust that transmits, perhaps, is what makes your family much quiet.

«My family is very happy for the decision I made and are all very excited to be a player of a team as important as Shakhtar. The club always transmitted confidence and security to me and my whole family to be able to live here and dedicate myself to what I like most, which is to play football, ”he emphasizes. It also trusts that the conflict concludes in the next dates. Something that your partner Vinicius also expects. «I think it will end soon. We have waited a lot and many things have happened during this time, and we are all tired of the war. All we want is to live with the normality we used to have before, ”he closes.