Taras Stepanenko responds to rumours about the occupiers' demolition of Donbass Arena

Shakhtar captain Taras Stepanenko spoke about the possible extension of his contract with the club and recalled the highlights of his time with the team.

- Some media outlets are reporting that you have extended your contract with Shakhtar for another year. How true is this?

- I think it is better to respect official sources. We know that some journalists work a lot in football, know many people and communicate with them. But let's wait for official confirmation. Then we can answer this question. So far, nothing has happened, so I can't answer it clearly myself.

- You have been with the Donetsk club since 2010. In these almost 14 years, what has been the most memorable for you?

- There were many things. I was lucky to play at a club like Shakhtar. I played at different levels of European football. There were bright victories and matches after which I wanted to cry. I always remember the Donbass Arena. It is a gem and the coolest stadium I have ever played at. If we take into account all my time here and the tragic situation that happened in our country, which is why we cannot play in Donetsk, the matches at the Donbass Arena are the most memorable.

The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 spectators, but 52-53,000 came and people were standing. Everything was very cool. Games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona... Matches of the Ukrainian national team in Donetsk. These are all the most memorable memories.

And if we take into account more modern times, then the best moment when Shakhtar managed to resist after a full-scale enemy invasion of our country. We managed to pull ourselves together and represent Ukraine with dignity on the European stage. We were not defeated by Real Madrid, but escaped only in the last minute of the game. We beat Leipzig and did not lose to Celtic.

At the same time, about 15 foreigners left the team, most of whom were the core of the team. Then the young guys who came in their place managed to replace these players with dignity. So I think we did a great job for Ukrainian football. I will always remember this. It shows the spirit of Shakhtar and the spirit of the whole of Ukraine.

- You mentioned the Donbass Arena. There were rumours from the Russians that they wanted to demolish this stadium. Then in one of your comments, you reacted to such news and said that it was just a slap in the face from them. Several months have passed and, indeed, nothing is happening. So why are you telling them this?

- They talk a lot but do little. It takes them two seconds to destroy a Ukrainian town or village. They can bomb a school - they can do that. But to say something like that... I don't even want to talk about it. They should go to the Donbass Arena as if it were an excursion. Because at least something beautiful remained there after Russia came to our country.

Nazariy SHMIGIL