Famous Dynamo defender Danilo Silva is back in Kyiv. This time – as a scout responsible for the Brazilian direction: it was he who found Inter midfielder Gustavo Prado, loaned to the team until the end of the season.
In an interview with Dynamo’s official website, Danilo spoke about his impressions of wartime Kyiv, meetings with former teammates and the most memorable matches he played for our club during what the Brazilian representative considers the best years of his football career.
– When we were looking for a convenient place for the conversation, an air raid alert was activated in Kyiv. But you did not even bat an eyelid...
– Actually, it would be dishonest to pretend to be a brave man and convince everyone that sirens and the sounds of explosions, which I also had to hear during my days in Kyiv, do not cause emotions. But I am most concerned about this wonderful city, which after seven years at Dynamo became almost native to me. I very much hope that the unjust war, which has been going on for more than four years, will end as soon as possible. And for now, I am convinced that football is one of the factors capable of helping people forget about this horror at least for a while.
– Your protégé Gustavo was not frightened by the war and agreed to come to Ukraine...
– He is a very brave guy in general. (Smiles). But the most important thing for him is to progress in football. Prado knows about the greatness of the club he has joined not only from me. When I offered him the chance to test himself at Dynamo, I did not hide the fact that in Ukraine, alongside the prospects, there is also danger. But before accepting the offer, he himself read about the country and the team he was invited to join. And then he said: “Danylo, for the development of my career, this is simply an ideal opportunity!”
– What places in Kyiv should you show him so that he falls in love with our city as you did?
– When some free time appears between the tests and training sessions that should bring Gustavo into his best shape, we will definitely take a walk along Khreshchatyk. We will reach Maidan, European Square, look at the Dnipro from Volodymyrska Hill. The guy should also definitely see the Motherland Monument, the tallest monumental sculpture in Europe.
I almost forgot: in order to become a real Ukrainian, as I felt myself in the second year of my stay in Kyiv, Gustavo must definitely try Ukrainian cuisine.
– Which dish will you offer your protégé first?
– When I first arrived, my Dynamo teammates told me that you would become a Kyiv resident only after trying borsch. And you know, they were right. Borsch is exactly what I miss now at home, in Brazil. And also – Gustavo must try Chicken Kyiv. What a delicious dish! By the way, both borsch and Chicken Kyiv are prepared very tasty at the club training base.
– Have you already taken the opportunity to meet in Kyiv with those you once played alongside at Dynamo?
– Of course! At the training base, I immediately ran into Yarmolenko and Buyalskyi. We remembered the old days and laughed. Yarmola called me by my old nickname Pinocchio, which he once gave me because of my long nose. As you understand, I did not remain in his debt – I addressed Andriy only as Kangaroo, a nickname that once stuck to him because of his distinctive running style. The feeling was as if we had never been separated for years and had literally played together on the right flank yesterday – me in defence, him in attack.
We met Bushchan at Dynamo Stadium when we came with Gustavo to sign the contract and for the presentation. I was very happy to see Zhora again. I will keep the details of our conversation to myself. (Laughs). I will only say that he has not lost his sense of humour.
– Do you remember how many matches you played for the Kyiv team?
– I know the exact number – 222, because it repeats my shirt number three times. Even if you wake me up in the middle of the night, I will remember all the details of the spectacular home Europa League match against Everton at the Olympic Stadium. Or the details of the game against Illichivets, in which we won 9:1. I scored from Yarmolenko’s pass and provided the assist for Guilherme myself. I told Gustavo about this extremely high-scoring match – I saw both admiration and disbelief in his eyes at the same time. I had to go online and show him a compilation of the goals.
– It seems that already in your second year in Ukraine you began communicating without an interpreter. How much time will Gustavo need for this?
– I think that at the level of everyday communication and understanding the coach’s instructions, he will learn Ukrainian much faster. And not at all because the loan agreement is only for one year – he would like to establish himself at Dynamo and sign a full contract with the club next summer.
– You were almost the only Dynamo foreign player who, during the national anthem before matches, not only held his hand over his heart but also sang along with the other players. Should we expect the same expression of respect for Ukraine from our Brazilian newcomer?
– And we can ask him himself, – Danylo called Gustavo over, who was talking to his agent a few steps away from us, and translated my question. – He says that his goal is to demonstrate respect for the country and the club in every possible way. So the anthem and hand over the heart are the least he can do to repay them for the chance to progress at such a prestigious club.
– And finally: can Gustavo Prado’s arrival at Dynamo be regarded as the first step toward further strengthening of the team with your compatriots?
– I personally would be very pleased with such a prospect. If the club president entrusts me with it, I will continue looking for talented players in Brazil. And there are plenty of them...
Dmytro ILCHENKO
