Winger keeps in touch with Dynamo fans who are fighting at the front
Winger Dynamo Andrey Yarmolenko spoke about the first days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. International player ends relationship with former teammate Anatoly Timoshchuk.
“At that time, my wife was in Kyiv with her eldest son. It was a difficult time, I didn’t know what to do… Dynamo President Igor Surkis called me and offered his help, I am very grateful for that.”
“West Ham have given me time off from training. Then there was no talk of football at all. When people are being killed in your country, you shouldn’t think of anything else. I didn’t want to play at all. And when I calmed down a little, I realized that I need to continue playing football, and thanks to my name I can show people what is happening in my country. It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done.”
“Lukasz Fabianski supported me a lot, but I also received messages of support from all the guys and employees of the club, everyone offered some kind of help, and for this I am very grateful to them. When you feel support in difficult times, when you, your loved ones, your country feel bad, you have a different attitude towards the club, the fans, everything that happens. In general, the British help the Ukrainians a lot, and we should appreciate it.”
“Tymoshchuk is an adult who has made his choice. I just called him on the phone and asked if he was sleeping well. We just sent each other away. What to talk about with him? He is not a person for me, he simply does not exist. To do so after all that our country has given him… I just don’t want to say hurtful things on camera.”
“The children are bored and want to return to Ukraine, go to Chernihiv to visit their grandparents. We have to explain to them what is happening in our country now, and who is doing it. As for the Ukrainian language, I really communicate with children exclusively in Ukrainian. But I am not without sin, I regret that I did not do this earlier.
“We all need to thank our military every day for the fact that we have somewhere to return. Sometimes I get phone calls from fans who are at the front now, asking how I’m doing, sometimes I do. I have friendly relations with them since I played in Dynamo. I know how much our fans of all our clubs do for Ukraine. Of course, every footballer has only respect and gratitude for them.”
Yarmolenko moved to Dynamo as a free agent, signing a two-year contract. Last season, the 33-year-old Ukrainian made 33 appearances for the UAE team, in which the winger scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists.
Dynamo took fourth place in the standings of the Ukrainian championship and will play in the Conference League qualification. In the first round of the new championship of Ukraine, the people of Kiev will meet Minai.
Source: Sportarena
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