Ukrainian Footballer Talks About War's Impact on His Game
- Georgiy Sudakov, a Ukrainian footballer, opens up about the impact of the war on his game.
- Sudakov talks about the challenges of focusing on football while his friends are fighting in the conflict.
- The ongoing war in Ukraine has not only affected lives but also the sports community, highlighting the grim reality of the situation.
In a poignant moment for Shakhtar Donetsk, 21-year-old playmaker Mykhailo Sudakov has been appointed captain for the club's second league game of the season. This decision comes after Sudakov's harrowing experiences during the war, where he sought refuge from Russian bombings with his pregnant wife. Reflecting on his journey, Sudakov shared on Instagram, “2012, this boy dreams of playing for Shakhtar Donetsk,” highlighting his long-standing commitment to the club. Despite a summer filled with transfer speculation, including a rejected €40 million offer from Napoli, Sudakov remains a key player for Shakhtar. His manager, Marino Pusic, who led the team to consecutive league titles, has placed significant trust in him. Sudakov has already made over 100 appearances and scored in the Champions League against Barcelona, solidifying his status within the team. Sudakov, who joined Shakhtar at 14 from Metalist Kharkiv, acknowledges the challenges ahead, including the prospect of leaving the club. He has never played at the Donbas Arena in Donetsk due to the ongoing conflict, which has forced the team to relocate. Despite the difficulties, he remains focused on using his platform to showcase Ukraine's resilience and talent on the European stage. With aspirations of achieving greatness, Sudakov believes in his potential to reach the pinnacle of football, stating, “He has no upper limit and he can win the Ballon d’Or with his qualities, but everything depends only on him.”