Lasina Traore: “I can understand the feelings of Ukrainians. And I can say that I feel like a Ukrainian"

Shakhtar Donetsk striker Lasina Traore spoke about his understanding of the feelings of Ukrainians during the war.

“We understand what is happening in Ukraine. I can’t say that I feel everything the same as the Ukrainians. But I can put myself in their place and understand their feelings. I perfectly understand what our head coach Igor Yovichevich meant when he said that all of us in the team are now Ukrainians. And I can also say that I feel like a Ukrainian.

I follow the development of events in Ukraine. In general, I like to follow politics and know what is happening in the world - in Ukraine, France, the USA. It is important to do this, because we play football, we are focused on sports and sometimes we can lose touch with the world. After football and the end of a career, we are waiting for the continuation of life, and we must be able to cope with it.

I hope that the war will end soon and people will be able to return home. Ukraine is a fantastic country. I love Kyiv and I want to return there," Traore said.