He is very shy. It’s been more the two months since Mykyta Burda took the field as FC Dynamo Kyiv left back in the Ukrainian Cup match against FC Karpaty Lviv.
Later 19-year-old player featured on problematic position in triumphal game against FC Shakhtar Donetsk. He performs in the Europa League regularly and has no signs of superiority complex.
“I can grant interview with no trouble”
- Mykyta, have you already got used to attention from journalists?
- Yes, sometimes they call me. I try to react normally and can grant interview with no trouble.
- How did you actually join FC Dynamo Kyiv?
- I went in for football in small town of Yahotyn in Kyiv region. When I was 13 my coach took me to physical training school in Kyiv to undergo a trial. That’s how I stepped to the next level. Three years later I joined FC Dynamo Kyiv Academy. Later I featured for U-19 and U-21 teams.
- Do you remember your first boots?
- Sure, my mom bought my first boots. They weren’t expensive. When football became my profession mom presented me with better “equipment”.
“Everyone saw my jimjams before the game against Shakhtar”
- You were born in 1995, so you couldn’t see Dynamo historical victories against Real Madrid and Barcelona. How did your love to Kyivans arise?
- Everybody supports Dynamo in Kyiv region. As I moved to Kyiv I started attending every home game of the team.
- You made your debut for Dynamo main squad in the national cup fixture against FC Zirka Kirovohrad. How did you get to know that you would take the field?
- The head coach told me. I worked with the main squad for a week before that. That day everyone had individual talk with Rebrov after lunch. He said: “You are going to play today. Don’t worry, everything is fine”.
- Your first appearance in the UPL was in Ukrainian “clasico”. That’s not easy even for experienced players. How did you cope with excitement?
- Teammates and coaching staff helped me. Later they told that noticed my jimjams and tried to calm me down. Still it’s difficult to cope with excitement in such games.
“There’s no new boy bashing in Dynamo”
- How did teammates meet you in Dynamo?
- Everything is fine. There’s no new boy bashing in Dynamo (laughing).
- Who took you under patronage?
- I guess that’s Andriy Yarmolenko. He can give me a piece of advice or calm me down when necessary.
- Aren’t you afraid of coming up to such authorities as Shovkovskyi or Husiev?
- I’m not. I just really respect them.
- Who do you share hotel room with when Dynamo play away?
- Usually with Buialskyi or Kalytvyntsev. In Uzhhorod I shared it with Roman Bezus. That’s not up to players.
“I try not to buy Russian wares”
- You come from Yenakieve (Donetsk region). Do you still have relatives there?
- I do. Still we’ve taken my grandmother to Kyiv already. Other relatives and friends have also left the town as it’s impossible to live there.
- Do you still listen to Russian music, watch Russian series or buy Russian wares?
- Well, I do listen to music, but my attitude to Russia has changed rapidly. I try not to buy Russian wares.
- Getting ready for the interview I found a picture of yours with a cigarette. Is it fake?
- (Laughing) It was a joke. I don’t know who made a sensation out of it.
- What do you want your career to be like?
- First of all I want to become Dynamo first team regular. I also want to win trophies both in Ukraine and on European arena with Kyivans.
Questionnaire
Favourite director: I like action movies. It’s easier to name my favourite actor. That’s Jason Statham.
The last movie you watched: I watched Lucy as we were flying to Denmark. I can give this film seven points out of ten.
Favourite music: Rap.
Football idol: When I was a kid my idol was Andriy Shevchenko. Speaking about defenders, that’s Puyol.
Favourite club: Barcelona.
Favourite night club: I don’t like them.
Favourite car: I like Mercedes, but I don’t have my own car yet.
Favourite city: Kyiv and Rome.
Extreme sports: I haven’t tried any yet, but I want to bail out.
* picture by V. Rasner
