Denys Boyko has officially ended his professional career. Without drama and fanfare, he simply wrote «The End.» The goalkeeper who played in the Europa League final, competed for trophies with Dynamo, faced challenges with Beşiktaş, Málaga, and the Ukrainian national team, decided at 36 to leave football on his own terms — without lowering the bar and without fear for the future.
Denys BoykoToday, Boyko is not only a former top-level goalkeeper but also a TV expert, the face of a new YouTube project, and a person who suddenly speaks very honestly about things that are usually hidden in Ukrainian football: money, plans after a career, responsibility for words, and respect for journalism.
— Denys, your post concluded with a clear point — «The End.» Although there were previous rumors about potentially continuing your career, particularly with an option in Turkey. When did you internally feel that this decision was final — was there a specific moment or did it mature gradually? And were there really offers that could have persuaded you to stay in football, or did you want to finish your career on your own terms?
— Look, I made the decision after the contract with Polissya ended. I considered options for continuing my career, but I had my own conditions — those on which I was willing to stay in football. Fans and experts may better evaluate my career, but I consider it to have been really good and rich. I played in strong clubs, abroad, and for the national team. And at 36, I didn’t want to lower the level — just go to any team to play football.
I always gave my maximum — in every training session, in games, even in everyday life. And I clearly understood: football is my life, but life doesn’t end with it. If I were 30, I might still hold on — for the game, for the status, for the opportunity to continue. But at 36, I felt completely fulfilled. Therefore, if options that suited me didn’t appear, I was ready to finish calmly.
I wasn’t afraid — «what will life be like without football.» There were offers, and not just one — really good ones. But there were many factors that influenced the decision. In the end, I finished my career calmly, confidently, without regret. I never regretted it because I was mentally prepared — so the decision came easily.
— This calm — it’s probably what you wrote about in your post: finishing your career «with a clear conscience.» What did you exactly mean by those words?
— I didn’t put any deep meaning into those words. «Clear conscience» is more of a football expression. There are many examples where players go down — not only financially but also in sports — just to stay in the game. And often nothing good comes of it. There are other stories, like Yaroslav Rakitskyi — he continued because he just loves football. It’s completely different. And there are those who hold onto a contract because they don’t know what to do next. I clearly knew what I would do after. I had several development paths, and I was completely at peace.
«Clear conscience» for me means that I gave my all in football. When I take on something, I immerse myself completely. I’m not one to just «maintain form» — it’s not interesting to me. Even if I joined a team now with good financial conditions, I couldn’t train half-heartedly or lower the level. That’s not me.
I clearly determined for myself: either I join a club with good conditions, or a team with an ambitious project — with vision, development, an idea for years to come. To help young people, to train, to compete, to fight for results. Simply «to play for another year or two» — is not my option.
I know myself, my body, and even now I feel that I could play at a good level. But you need to know how to make decisions on time and finish. Football doesn’t stand still — it develops, changes. And for me, this conclusion came easily. There were offers — not one, not two, not even three, and not only from Ukraine but also from abroad. But they didn’t suit me — either financially or in terms of the project content.
— Often footballers say they will think about what to do after their career is over only when it’s all over. But you seem to have been maximally prepared for this. From what moment did you start building a «plan B» or «plan C»? When did you start to be interested in other fields, preparing for life after football?
— Speaking of Hutsulyak — that’s really a good example. But it’s strange to me to hear when footballers say they will think about what to do only after their career is over. No offense, but that’s simply shortsightedness. In my opinion, that’s wrong. You need to start caring about the future from the moment you start earning.
Nobody knows how long their football age will last. Injuries can change everything — both career and life. Therefore, it’s very important either to have people nearby who will advise — a wife, family, friends — or to understand yourself that you need to start saving little by little, think about tomorrow. I know many examples where footballers, not having huge contracts, still invest — some in real estate, some in business or marketing. There are many options. The main thing is to have a vision and not wait for the last day to start.
I know the other side as well — footballers who received huge contracts but achieved nothing after their career. They spent it all and ended up with nothing. They just live off the money they once made in football. There are plenty of such examples.
In my opinion, it’s very important to realize as early as possible: a football career is not eternal. Football age is different for everyone — someone plays until 40, while others aren’t lucky enough to even reach 30. Therefore, you need to take care of your future in advance. It could be courses, education, something in IT or business — everyone has to find their own. The simplest way, as it once seemed to me, is to invest in real estate: buy, sell, lease it. You don’t need extraordinary knowledge here. Others go into business, and that’s also absolutely right.
I really like examples like Hutsulyak’s: he studies at a business school, learns foreign languages — that’s cool. In general, I believe knowledge of a foreign language should be mandatory for Ukrainian footballers. When I came to Spain, I was given three months to learn the language. Even though my English was good, I was clearly told: if you don’t speak Spanish, there will be no cooperation. And that’s perfectly normal. Without language, it’s hard to adapt, but with it, the process goes much faster.
Development should always be there. Yes, while you’re a professional — football comes first. But if you earn well, you need to find opportunities to invest, not just hold money. Because life is unpredictable: war, bank bankruptcies, economic crises — anything can happen. So it’s better to invest and always think ahead about life after football.
— You say: when you start earning — you need to immediately think about the future. If you take your period at Dynamo, did you already start building your «plan B» or «C» at that time?
— I never called it «plan B» or «plan C.» Just when I started earning well, I realized that any sum can be spent — even a very large one. It’s only a matter of time. Maybe I was lucky with my upbringing or the fact that there were the right people nearby who advised me not to blow everything on cars, watches, brands, or vacations. I approached it calmly and started saving.
Later, when the opportunity arose, I started investing, tried out businesses. Some worked, others closed down, new ones appeared. It’s a normal process of development. Any business is a risk, like any investment. But without risk, there is no progress. Maybe that’s why many footballers are afraid to invest — they’re afraid of failing. But the main thing is not just to «put money in,» but to do so with understanding and logic. Not in a way where «I invested today, and tomorrow I want twice as much.» It’s a process where strategy is important, not an immediate result.
And the sooner a footballer understands that a career isn’t eternal, that not everyone will become a coach or a functionary after retirement, the better for him. It doesn’t take much effort but gives confidence that you will always have a backup option. Better to have a plan «B» than to have none at all. And I am convinced: development during a football career — beyond the field — should always be present.
— You have already mentioned that you do not rule out returning to football — possibly as a coach or a functionary. How seriously do you consider this path? And do you have the desire to pass on your experience to young goalkeepers?
— I never say never. But I don’t see a point now in rushing into something just because I am a former footballer. Coaching is a completely different profession. If you want to be successful in it, you need to start with education, practice, gradually getting into the process. It’s years of work.
I haven’t taken courses yet, don’t have a license. Of course, I have a vision, experience, a sense of the game, an understanding of team psychology. I know how a big club works, how processes are formed in the locker room. It’s all invaluable experience, but it’s not enough to be a coach. Therefore, if I ever go this path, first I’ll need to learn.
Right now, I am more drawn to something related to media, communication, the inner workings of football. I am interested in creating content, showing what the viewer usually doesn’t see.
— Are you referring to your YouTube project?
— Yes. This is my idea — to show football not only through the lens of the result. People see matches, emotions, goals, but don’t understand what’s behind it. I want to show how it all works from the inside — training, everyday life, psychology, team building, preparation, communication with journalists.
In our football, things are often presented in a very simple form: «won — well done, lost — guilty.» But it’s too primitive. Football is much deeper. And if people look at it from a slightly different perspective, they will start to better understand why something happens the way it does, not otherwise.
This won’t be a show or something entertaining. It’s important to me that the content has meaning and value. That people who watch it gain something new — not only emotion but also an understanding of the processes.
— Often footballers say that media — it’s not their territory because journalists twist words. You’ve often voiced your opinion and even after your career remain open. Are you not afraid that someone will try to use your words against you?
— I stopped being afraid of this long ago. If you’re afraid of being misunderstood, then it’s better to keep silent altogether. But staying silent is not a solution.
Yes, there have been situations where my words were twisted or taken out of context. It’s unpleasant, but I’ve come to terms with it. Because if you speak sincerely, sooner or later it will reach people correctly. I never tried to be convenient for everyone.
The main thing is to be honest with yourself. If I see something wrong — I’ll say it. If I feel I can support a person — I’ll say it too. I’m not afraid to take a position. And I think that’s what people like — sincerity.
— Have you ever thought about trying yourself as a football expert or commentator?
— I’ve already been invited to broadcasts — both on television and YouTube channels. I find it interesting. But again — I don’t want to be just a «former footballer who comments on something.» If to do it — then do it well.
I like the format where you can not only talk but also analyze: showing tactics, goalkeeper work, movements, decision-making. Because when you’ve been inside the process, you see the game a little differently.
Maybe over time, I’ll find a format where I’ll be comfortable — be it my own YouTube, or an author’s column. But it’s definitely not something superficial.
— Looking at Ukrainian football in general: you often talked about the lack of strategy. What do you think is needed for the situation to start changing?
— First of all, you need to look at yourself honestly. And at all levels: from children’s academies to the UAF. Many here want results «tomorrow,» but no one wants to build a system.
A development strategy is needed. Not just «make a reform,» but do it well. The system of children’s academies, coaching licenses, preparation methodology — everything should be a single chain.
Look at Croatia, Belgium, Denmark — these are not countries with million-dollar budgets. But they invested in coach education, methodology, development of children’s schools. And the result is visible.
Here, everything often relies on the enthusiasm of people who really love football. But enthusiasm is not enough. There needs to be a state program, control, and responsibility. Because without a system — everything will be chaotic.
— When listening to you, it seems you could become a strong football manager. Have you been offered such a role — for example, a sports director or club advisor?
— Offers have been made. But honestly, I’m not ready for this yet. It’s also a big responsibility. I see what can be changed, see the problems, but I don’t want to enter this not fully understanding all the processes.
If to do something, then do it well. I don’t want to just «sit in an office and pretend to be a functionary.» It has to be real work, real impact. And if ever I feel ready — then, yes, I will consider it.
— Finally, what do you miss most about football now?
— The atmosphere. This energy when you enter the field, hear the stands, when everything is boiling. No job can replace that.
But on the other hand, I received so many emotions over my career that I can live without this adrenaline. Football gave me a lot. And now my goal is not to step away from it, but to stay close, just in another role.
Kateryna Bondarenko
