- You joined the team before the second winter training camp. How difficult it was to get accustomed?
- Sometimes it’s not about a team or newcomer himself. Every new player needs some time to find out how his teammates act in this or that situation on the field.
- You took part in three friendlies in Spain, but didn’t score. Did that bother you?
- It didn’t. I just joined the team and those were my first games the purpose of which was to get ready for the season. And actually I scored one, but I was flagged offside (smiling).
- You scored in your second official game for Dynamo – against Olympiacos FC. Were you satisfied?
- Sure, I like to score as any striker. It’s great my goal helped the team win, but what matters first of all is that we went through to the Europa League following stage.
- You’re Real Madrid academy trainee. What did this experience give you?
- Actually there were many special episodes concerning games, training sessions and things outside the field. We were like a family. Of course training sessions with Real Madrid first team were something incredible.
- How did such players as Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema treat you, young performer?
- I didn’t feel any arrogance from them. Everyone treated me in a friendly way. I was 18-19, but at a session I could easily tell Gareth Bale, for example: “Pass me the ball!” It was okay. The same about Cristiano Ronaldo.
- What’s Ronaldo like outside the football field?
- He’s incredible person and very talented player. When there’re no cameras around, he’s totally different. Cristiano is a true professional and a nice person.
- Do you keep in touch with your former Real Madrid youth squad teammates?
- We had really friendly atmosphere in the team. We still text and call each other. I keep in touch with Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vasquez, Nacho, Isco… Actually with everyone!
- Did you hope to get game practice in La Liga joining Villarreal CF? What went wrong?
- I hoped, but I was young. I tried to do my best, but there was fierce competition among Villarreal attacking players. The team was quite successful and they had few opportunities to give youngster a chance.
- What thoughts did you have leaving Spain to join Willem II?
- It was hard from psychological point of view. It was the first time I left my native country. But it turned out I made a right choice.
- Starting with 2014/2015 campaign, you didn’t score less than 10 goals per season. Is it a good result for a striker? To you set certain goals for yourself?
- The more you score, the better it is for the team and the more supporters like you. I don’t set personal goals. I just want to score as often as possible.
- You’ve come from small Tilburg to the big city of Kyiv. Did it take you some time to get used to it?
- It’s not a problem at all as I grew up in Madrid.
- Did your family move to Kyiv with you?
- Sure! My wife, son and our dog are here.
- It seems Benjamin Verbic has taken you under his patronage in a way. What does he show you in Kyiv?
- He knows Kyiv well enough so that we could spend time with our families in the city or to have dinner at some restaurant. He’s also showed me good barbershops.
- Whom do you communicate the most with?
- All guys in Dynamo are very friendly and they greeted me really warmly. Mostly I communicate with Brazilians as we have similar languages and with guys who speak English – Kedziora, Kadar, Tsyhankov, Shaparenko.
- You’ve mentioned that Andriy Shevchenko is your idol. When did you start following him?
- I remember all his great moments with Milan – victory in the Champions League, Ballon d’Or 2004. His career in Chelsea wasn’t a great success, but still he was incredible player.
- What would you’ve been but for football?
- I would have been a fireman. I always liked this profession.
- Would you like your son to be a professional football player?
- I do, but first of all I want him to be healthy and to succeed in whatever he does.
Yuriy Vyshnevskyi
Material for Dynamo magazine #1 (102), January-March 2019
