Maksym Zaderaka: My family always comes first for me. I give them maximum attention

The captain of Kryvyi Rih He was my first coach and remains a very important person for me even now, we still keep in touch. I was about seven years old then. I have many vivid and emotional memories from that period. One of them is the victory at the Leather Ball tournament.

- The period in 2022 was interrupted by war. How did you survive it?

- You know, what a bitter irony - I was caught up in war again. It was very similar to what I had already experienced in Donetsk. And then in Armenia - there was also fighting when I played there. And then - February 24, the war in Ukraine. I myself am originally from Bucha. Imagine: on February 23, I left for home, arrived on the night of the 24th - around 5 am I was already in Kyiv, and then - in Bucha. And literally an hour or two later it all started. People were running out with suitcases, there was panic, chaos. I couldn't believe it was really happening. And then - helicopters, explosions, shelling. And there was no doubt left: this was reality.

- Tell me about those first days in Bucha in February 2024.

- I remember complete chaos: people were running with suitcases, neighbors were in panic, everyone had fear on their faces. At first, it was even hard to realize that this was a real war. But when I saw helicopters flying over the city, how they were being shot down - everything became real. Everything around stopped. Metalist 1925 suspended its activities, and I decided to go to my parents in Oleksandria. I lived there for about half a year.

- And here - Kryvbas. How did the option with the Kryvyi Rih club come about? Were there other options at that time?

- Yes, there were options. Even Metalist 1925 wanted me to stay in the team. But when my agent called and said that there was interest from Kryvbas, and then Yuriy Vernydub called me personally, I didn't hesitate. I wanted a new challenge. I was really interested in the project itself. Even before the full-scale war, I had been following how Kryvbas was developing, and it was very impressive. And when I found out that Vernydub was leading the team, it only strengthened my desire to join. It was clear that there would be a serious level and great ambitions here.

- You've been at Kryvbas for several seasons now. Do you feel at home here?

- Yes, now I can definitely say that it feels like home here. Not only the fans have become family to me, but also the staff, club workers, coaching staff - I know everyone personally. And that means a lot to me. This is my fourth season at Kryvbas, and I feel that the club truly lives in my heart. This is not just a team I play for - I play for its history, we create it together. And this inspires me every day.

- A new championship has begun. What season was the team setting itself up for at the start?

- The team has been renewed, many are young. But everyone is hungry for victories. We are set for every match as if it were a final. We want to go out and win. I cannot voice the specific goals of the club - this is an internal kitchen, and we respect our limits. But everyone's motivation is at the highest level.

- What do you strive for in football today? What do you dream of as a professional? And what dreams do you have in life in general?

- In football, the most important thing for me is for the team to constantly grow, fight for victory and return to the European cups, where we could perform with dignity. I want to see constant progress and development of the club I play for. As for personal dreams, the most important of them is, of course, for the war to end. So that we can enjoy life, live calmly and confidently in our sovereign state.

- We know that you are a family man - a wonderful husband and father. What is family to you?

- Family always comes first for me. I try very hard not to bring negativity home and give them as much attention as possible. I especially like to spend time with my daughter, although it is not always a lot of time, but it is high-quality and valuable to me. My wife and child are my girls, my best support and support in everything.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih according to the materials Ukrfootball.ua