Volodymyr Vilivald: When I saw the captain's armband, I immediately realized: today I am a leader and I have to play for every partner

The third episode of the FCKK PODCAST on our YouTube channel features a conversation with Volodymyr Vilivald, captain of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih. The defender—who plays for both the "Red-and-Whites" and the Ukraine U-21 national team—spoke candidly about his challenging journey from his hometown of Ternivka to wearing the captain's armband in the UPL, the emotions surrounding his national team call-up, working under Patrick van Leeuwen, and our signature candid rapid-fire Q&A.

- You recently got married. How does it feel to be in this new stage of life?

- I’m very happy to have taken such a significant and well-considered step in life. It will only benefit me and my career, bringing added stability and support.

- You’re currently wearing the new Kryvbas kit. What are your impressions of it?

- The fit is perfect, and I really like the design. Compared to all the kits I’ve worn throughout my career, this one is the best.

- Your father is a huge football fan, and your brother played too. Would you say your family laid the foundation for your career?

- Yes, absolutely. When I was a child, my father and brother would constantly take me to the football pitch, and the three of us would play together. Football was always on TV at home—we all supported Barcelona as a family, and we still watch their matches today. When I was about five or six years old, my father took me to join a team. We didn't have a professional academy in Ternivka—just a regular local youth team and two coaches. But it was my own conscious decision to play sports, even though it was my father who took the initiative. He plays football quite well himself and was always a source of motivation for me.

- How did you get into regional youth football?

- When I was about 11 or 12, a coach took our team to Dnipro for a trial. After the game, I was told I’d been "noted down" as a prospect. A few weeks later, I was invited back—on my own this time—for a full training session with the local lads. For a boy from a small town, it was nerve-wracking: everyone seemed so much more skilled and physically stronger, even though they were the same age as me. The training didn't go as I’d hoped, and after a one-on-one talk, the coach was blunt: "You aren't ready yet; we have stronger players." I was really upset, but my father said, "Don't worry about it—it's just the beginning; we'll find the right team for you."

Later, while playing against another Dnipro team—Inter—I caught their eye. I went for a trial, and the atmosphere was completely different: the boys gave me a warm welcome, and the coach said right away that he wanted me on the squad. For about a year, I traveled 100 kilometers for matches, but when the time came to compete in the Ukrainian championship, I moved to Dnipro, transferred to a local school, and settled into a dormitory. There were eight of us to a room—we were constantly on the pitch, training and living for the game.

- You once mentioned that you joined Kryvbas by "jumping onto the last train," so to speak—getting in at the very last moment. How did that happen?

- After graduating from the youth league (DYUFLU), I had to move up to the U-19 level. We were sent to Dnipro, but the coaching staff had changed, and they didn't really even look at us—they simply said the squad was already full. Then the hardest period began. A friend's father effectively took on the role of our representative and helped us look for options. We went to Oleksandria U-19—a few days of training, then a rejection.

Then we headed to Zorya—another trial, and the same response: "We have our own players." Next came an opportunity with Minaj. I spent two weeks there playing friendly matches every day; the coaches promised me a contract, but at the last moment, they brought in another player, and I was rejected again. The championship was due to start in a week. I returned home devastated, wondering if I should even keep going—thinking maybe it would be better to enroll in university and focus on my studies.

That’s when I was offered two final options in the U-19 First League: Avangard Kramatorsk or Kryvbas. I was advised to go to Kryvyi Rih. The team was already at a training camp, and the First League season started later. I arrived, trained a few times, and was finally told: "We're taking you on." The players and coaches welcomed me warmly. That marked the beginning of my story at Kryvbas, where I eventually became the U-19 captain and later broke into the first team.

- Who helped you settle in when you were first called up to the Kryvbas first team?

- Vyacheslav Ryabov, who is now part of the club's coaching staff, was a huge help. We played the same position, and he constantly gave me pointers—how to communicate properly on the pitch, how to direct my teammates, and how to guide them. I also learned a lot from Vitaliy Vernydub. It was an incredible experience.

- Did your loan spell at Inhulets boost your confidence?

- Definitely. I’m very grateful to Vasyl Kobin for the trust he showed in me and for the playing time. I returned from that loan much stronger, fitter, and more self-assured. My debut match against Polissya Zhytomyr stands out in particular. I went onto the pitch with the goal of keeping a clean sheet, but I ended up scoring from a set-piece. I felt like I was flying. That moment will stay with me forever.

- Do you remember the match where you first led the team out as captain?

- Yes, it was in Rivne against Veres. Maksym Zaderaka was injured and missed the game. I had a feeling it might happen beforehand; the guys were joking around and encouraging me during the pre-match gathering. But when I walked into the dressing room and saw the armband next to my jersey, I felt a special kind of thrill.

- What does being captain mean to you?

- It’s a huge responsibility. A captain has to energize the team, get every player in the right mindset, and instill a sense of confidence. The lads need to know that the captain will have their backs no matter what happens on the pitch. Before every match, we huddle up; there are words of motivation and our traditional team chant—it really unites and inspires the squad.

- Last season was brilliant, but the team has hit a bit of a rough patch at the start of the new campaign. What’s the reason?

- We’ve had a lot of new players join us from other leagues. They need time to adapt to our style and to Ukrainian football in general. They are high-quality, strong players, and the team has tremendous potential. If everyone plays to their full potential, it’s going to be a very powerful season for Kryvbas.

- How would you rate working with Patrick van Leeuwen?

- This is my first time working with a foreign head coach, and the approach is genuinely different. Patrick communicates a lot on an individual level—he calls each player in for one-on-one talks, analyzes specific moments, and explains his vision in detail. There’s a huge focus on tactics during training: the defense and midfield work separately, studying specific match scenarios. The sessions are very intense; you have to stay sharp every single moment.

- You received a call-up to the Ukraine U-21 national team under Unai Melgosa this year. How did you feel at that moment?

- I was absolutely thrilled! I immediately started calling my family and friends to share the news. Wearing the national team jersey had been a dream of mine since childhood. Melgosa has an interesting approach: the emphasis is on dominating the pitch and controlling possession. I played in a friendly match against the US national team—it’s an incredible feeling to wear the Ukrainian flag while facing players from top European and MLS clubs worth tens of millions of euros. It was an invaluable experience that gave me a huge boost for my future development.

- What advice would you give to young players who dream of making it big in football?

- If you have a goal and truly believe in it, see it through to the very end. As long as there’s even the slightest chance, give it your all. You’ll inevitably face difficulties, setbacks, and rejections along the way, but with that kind of desire and persistence, the results will surely follow.

Quick-fire round

Goal or assist? - Goal.

A 1–0 win or 5–4? - 5–4.

Ronaldo or Messi? - Messi.

Virgil van Dijk or another defender? - Van Dijk, all the way.

Morning or evening training? - Evening.

Vacation in the mountains or by the sea? - By the sea.

The toughest striker you’ve ever played against? - Vladyslav Vanat.

"Kryvbas" in one word? - Family.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih