Former Kyiv Dynamo goalkeeper Svyatoslav Syrota emotionally reacted to the news that his former football field partner Andriy Polunin has passed away.
Svyatoslav Syrota«My friend Andriy Polunin has passed away. It’s hard to find words. Because it’s not just a loss. It’s something that hurts so deeply, words can’t reach.
We got to know each other back in the mid-90s in „Dnipro“. Then years, life, new roads — and together again: we played together in the veterans' team before the full-scale war. He was always genuine: both when we played together, and later when we were football officials, and then when life became entirely different — during the war.
When we were in a place where nothing arrived: no deliveries, no packages, nothing. A place where even hope was lost, the only package that reached us — along with food and supplies — was from Andriy. One. Only one.
It’s not just help. It’s a sign. It’s a gesture that is never forgotten.
Later, when we were evacuated from Bakhmut to Dnipro and I was without belongings, without documents — just Form 100, he came to the hospital together with Oleh Shelayev. He brought a Dnipro suit — like a part of home that returned myself to me.
He wasn’t just a great footballer. He was a person who truly understood football — few are like that. But even fewer are those who understand people. He was exactly that.
For some, he was a legend. For others — a colleague. For many — an example.
For me — a friend I could call at any moment. Just to talk. And know that someone would listen.
I didn’t want to write for a long time. Because this loss is not for the public. It’s internal, personal, one that tightens the chest.
But I decided to write after all. Because Andriy deserves to be spoken of aloud.
I weep for my friend.
I weep for those many guys who are no longer here.
I weep because each one of them is a whole world that cannot be returned.
Andriy…
Thank you.
For the matches, for the conversations, for the support, for the kind words when they were needed.
For being there.
You will forever remain in my memory and my heart,» Syrota wrote on his Facebook page.
