I ended my career in a match against a team that are always in my heart
Friday, May 22, 2026
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Shakhtar and Ukrainian football legend Taras Stepanenko shared his emotions after ending his playing career
– Taras, it’s such a special and, at times, perhaps difficult day for you: you have ended your playing career. What are you feeling right now?
– It’s an emotional day for me. I thought I could hold back the tears, but I couldn’t because this is a huge part of my life and simply a great day. I ended my career in a match against a team that are always in my heart and soul. Fifteen years. I will always support Shakhtar, always cheer them on and today was special, they congratulated me. These memories will stay with me and will never go away.
– You previously said you made your debut in a match against Dynamo and today you are ending your career in a match against Shakhtar. How symbolic is this moment for you? What kind of journey have you gone through over all these years?
– Well, it just happened that way. To be honest, I didn’t know Kolos’ final match would be against Shakhtar, I found out later. And I was told that I would definitely play in it. It’s great when you play against a team you spent so much time with. I know everyone here and I have huge respect for them. I don’t even know how to express the emotions they’ve given me. It’s just great!
– Both teams said a very warm farewell to you and gave you some symbolic gifts. What did you feel in that moment?
– It is a matter of pride for me. When you see this kind of attitude towards you, you understand that you have a reputation, that you did something right during your career and that you are treated with such respect. I always tried to treat everyone I worked with respectfully, to be a professional at all times because I understood that young players were watching me, so I could not let them down. After joining Kolos, it was the same: no matter how difficult it was for me, I always tried to deliver results, to work in a way that people would remember. So when people see you off like that, it shows that your work was not in vain. For me, that is the most important thing, it is very pleasing.
– With what thoughts are you closing this chapter and starting to move forward?
– There is a beautiful phrase: when someone thinks a caterpillar is dying, God knows that a butterfly is being born. So this period of my life has come to an end – and it will always stay with me. I’m starting a new chapter and, I believe, I will do the same: everything that depends on me to work productively, properly and honestly, now as a coach. It is an interesting journey and it should be enjoyed!
– It’s an emotional day for me. I thought I could hold back the tears, but I couldn’t because this is a huge part of my life and simply a great day. I ended my career in a match against a team that are always in my heart and soul. Fifteen years. I will always support Shakhtar, always cheer them on and today was special, they congratulated me. These memories will stay with me and will never go away.
– You previously said you made your debut in a match against Dynamo and today you are ending your career in a match against Shakhtar. How symbolic is this moment for you? What kind of journey have you gone through over all these years?
– Well, it just happened that way. To be honest, I didn’t know Kolos’ final match would be against Shakhtar, I found out later. And I was told that I would definitely play in it. It’s great when you play against a team you spent so much time with. I know everyone here and I have huge respect for them. I don’t even know how to express the emotions they’ve given me. It’s just great!
– Both teams said a very warm farewell to you and gave you some symbolic gifts. What did you feel in that moment?
– It is a matter of pride for me. When you see this kind of attitude towards you, you understand that you have a reputation, that you did something right during your career and that you are treated with such respect. I always tried to treat everyone I worked with respectfully, to be a professional at all times because I understood that young players were watching me, so I could not let them down. After joining Kolos, it was the same: no matter how difficult it was for me, I always tried to deliver results, to work in a way that people would remember. So when people see you off like that, it shows that your work was not in vain. For me, that is the most important thing, it is very pleasing.
– With what thoughts are you closing this chapter and starting to move forward?
– There is a beautiful phrase: when someone thinks a caterpillar is dying, God knows that a butterfly is being born. So this period of my life has come to an end – and it will always stay with me. I’m starting a new chapter and, I believe, I will do the same: everything that depends on me to work productively, properly and honestly, now as a coach. It is an interesting journey and it should be enjoyed!