It was a very happy time for me at Shakhtar
Thursday, January 30, 2025
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Taras Stepanenko gave a farewell interview as a Shakhtar player
– Taras, you officially said goodbye to the team after the match against Borussia. It must be difficult for you emotionally right now, but still share your feelings.
– Yes, I said that for me, this was a journey that lasted half a lifetime, and if we consider my football career, it was a journey that encompassed my entire football life. I am very happy that I was invited to Shakhtar back then, and that I was able to prove it was not for nothing. I won many trophies with the team, but the most important thing is that we stood together in difficult times. Therefore, I, let's say, leave with a pure heart and a pure soul, I did everything I could for this club, just as the club did for me. Of course, I want to say a big thank you to the president, general director and sporting director, the club's employees – all the management, staff, base workers – because these are people I have known for many, many years. The same goes for the guys I played with, all the coaches who were at Shakhtar. Looking back, I can only say that it was a very happy time for me.
– You played for Shakhtar for almost 15 years. That’s a long period of time, and a lot has really happened. What are your memories of those years at Shakhtar?
– They were always bright – from the moment I first arrived in Donetsk, visited the base, the Donbas Arena, the first game in the Champions League, the first trophies. There were also sad times when we left Donetsk, travelled to different cities in Ukraine, without a home, a full-scale invasion, when many foreign players left the team and we played with those who remained, with the Ukrainian guys who returned. And we went through this journey together very honourably, sticking together. And I can say, it’s like a big family Very warm feelings and emotions will always be in my heart, I will always support this team and root for them.
– Which match and which goal were the most memorable for you? We understand that there were many, and it’s very difficult to choose just one, but nonetheless.
– Well, I always say that this is the first goal in the Champions League – against Partizan. Let's put it this way: after this goal and this victory, I became a full-fledged player of Shakhtar football team, they started counting on me, they saw potential in me, thanks to this I started playing at a high level.
– And the most memorable match?
– I made a great debut: we won the trophy in my very first match. It was a game for the Super Cup against Tavriia, we won 7-1, I appeared in the second half. That is, in the first match, I won the trophy and realized that I would win a lot with this team. And so it happened.
– Compare Taras Stepanenko, who arrived at Shakhtar many years ago as a young player, to the Taras Stepanenko who is leaving his home club today.
– I will say that I grew not only as a footballer, but most importantly, I think, as a person at Shakhtar. From such an emotional, aggressive, confrontational boy. I was able to learn, grow and become the captain of the team, leading by example to show the young guys how to treat the club, training sessions, and games. And I tried never to give up, so to speak, and first of all, not to give up on myself. Because you can only make claims about someone after you’ve made them about yourself. I really hope that after I leave the club, I will be remembered as a person who has always been honest, always sincere and hardworking.
– Continue in one or more words: Shakhtar for me is…
– Family.
– An integral part of this orange-and-black family are our fans, who will miss you very much. What do you want to say to them?
– Our fans are very strong people, as we know that many of them have been scattered across different parts of the world. I want to tell you, dear fans, that we have always played, are playing and Shakhtar will always play for you. We always remember you, despite the fact that we cannot play at home, we travel all the time, but we are always with you in our hearts. Thank you for these years that we have spent together. And I only say “see you next time”, because life is much longer than a sports career, and we never know what the future holds. I will say is like this: I’ll continue playing football for now, and then we’ll see what happens.
– Yes, I said that for me, this was a journey that lasted half a lifetime, and if we consider my football career, it was a journey that encompassed my entire football life. I am very happy that I was invited to Shakhtar back then, and that I was able to prove it was not for nothing. I won many trophies with the team, but the most important thing is that we stood together in difficult times. Therefore, I, let's say, leave with a pure heart and a pure soul, I did everything I could for this club, just as the club did for me. Of course, I want to say a big thank you to the president, general director and sporting director, the club's employees – all the management, staff, base workers – because these are people I have known for many, many years. The same goes for the guys I played with, all the coaches who were at Shakhtar. Looking back, I can only say that it was a very happy time for me.
– You played for Shakhtar for almost 15 years. That’s a long period of time, and a lot has really happened. What are your memories of those years at Shakhtar?
– They were always bright – from the moment I first arrived in Donetsk, visited the base, the Donbas Arena, the first game in the Champions League, the first trophies. There were also sad times when we left Donetsk, travelled to different cities in Ukraine, without a home, a full-scale invasion, when many foreign players left the team and we played with those who remained, with the Ukrainian guys who returned. And we went through this journey together very honourably, sticking together. And I can say, it’s like a big family Very warm feelings and emotions will always be in my heart, I will always support this team and root for them.
– Which match and which goal were the most memorable for you? We understand that there were many, and it’s very difficult to choose just one, but nonetheless.
– Well, I always say that this is the first goal in the Champions League – against Partizan. Let's put it this way: after this goal and this victory, I became a full-fledged player of Shakhtar football team, they started counting on me, they saw potential in me, thanks to this I started playing at a high level.
– And the most memorable match?
– I made a great debut: we won the trophy in my very first match. It was a game for the Super Cup against Tavriia, we won 7-1, I appeared in the second half. That is, in the first match, I won the trophy and realized that I would win a lot with this team. And so it happened.
– Compare Taras Stepanenko, who arrived at Shakhtar many years ago as a young player, to the Taras Stepanenko who is leaving his home club today.
– I will say that I grew not only as a footballer, but most importantly, I think, as a person at Shakhtar. From such an emotional, aggressive, confrontational boy. I was able to learn, grow and become the captain of the team, leading by example to show the young guys how to treat the club, training sessions, and games. And I tried never to give up, so to speak, and first of all, not to give up on myself. Because you can only make claims about someone after you’ve made them about yourself. I really hope that after I leave the club, I will be remembered as a person who has always been honest, always sincere and hardworking.
– Continue in one or more words: Shakhtar for me is…
– Family.
– An integral part of this orange-and-black family are our fans, who will miss you very much. What do you want to say to them?
– Our fans are very strong people, as we know that many of them have been scattered across different parts of the world. I want to tell you, dear fans, that we have always played, are playing and Shakhtar will always play for you. We always remember you, despite the fact that we cannot play at home, we travel all the time, but we are always with you in our hearts. Thank you for these years that we have spent together. And I only say “see you next time”, because life is much longer than a sports career, and we never know what the future holds. I will say is like this: I’ll continue playing football for now, and then we’ll see what happens.