Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Pedrinho recently spoke to Goal about his experience playing football in Ukraine. The Brazilian has been with the “miners” since the summer of 2021.
“If it weren’t for the war, I always joke that Shakhtar would be the best club in the world to start your career,” Pedrinho said.
“Here, if you’re 18 or 19 years old, you have a great opportunity to play regularly and take part in important competitions. I think that attracts a lot of young players who want to showcase their potential to the world. Often, when you move to a bigger club, you don’t get as much playing time as expected, but Shakhtar offers that chance.”
“The war, of course, complicates things, but I believe players are still drawn by the number of Brazilians living here. If there were only one or two Brazilians, I think it would be very difficult for people to want to come here, especially after the war started. But because there are so many Brazilians, moving here becomes much easier.”
Despite the challenges, Pedrinho insists that football remains an endless source of joy for players: “No matter all the changes, football and the happiness of doing what you love stay constant.”
Related Stories
