Ukrainian Zinchenko reveals why he stayed in England

Since the Russian invasion, football has been used as a stage for anti-war demonstrations, mainly by Ukrainian players. Among them, one of the most active is left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, from Manchester Citywho revealed the reason for not going to battle.

In an interview with former player Gary Lineker, for BBC, the athlete told a lot about what he is thinking and how he feels about what is happening in his home country: “I’m just crying. So it’s been a week, I’m not counting, but I drive the car to the training ground, or it doesn’t matter where, I might cry out of nowhere. It’s all in my head. Imagine the place where you were born, where you grew up. And there’s only empty ground.”

Preparing for Sunday ????????

Including a brilliant trick-shot from @edersonmoraes93 ????#ManCity pic.twitter.com/dToGJApNBr

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 5, 2022

Furthermore, he almost decided to leave England and defend his country: “I will be honest, if it weren’t for my daughter and my family, I would be there. I was born this way. I know the people of my country, their mentality, and all they think exactly the same. I am so proud to be Ukrainian and I will be forever for the rest of my life. I know the people, the mentality of my people in my country, they would rather die and they will die. But they will not give up. “

Finally, he did not miss the disappointment he feels from the Russian players, from the Russian national team, about not taking a stand against what their country is doing: “I was surprised that none of them said anything. Instagram, Facebook, whatever. At least they can do something to stop this war. Because people can hear them. I already know they’re scared. But what are they scared of? They won’t do anything to them. At least they can say their positions, but they don’t just ignore it. I don’t know why.”