Renowned commentator Ihor Tsyhanyk spoke about the leaders of the Ukrainian national team in the qualifying cycle for the 2026 World Cup.
Ihor Tsyhanyk— A new national team needs to be formed. A new one. And as long as Yarmolenko is there, no one will be able to show themselves in a leadership role. As Rebrov said after the European Championship, leaders are not appointed — they are born within the team. If Mykolenko has now appeared, there is also Zinchenko — these are people who must pull the team along and show everything on the football field. They should be the leaders who guide others.
Yarmolenko, even if he now joins the national team, cannot be a leader. He can be a moment that helps the team, but he has to listen to those leaders who form its core. At the club, he works every day, can give hints, but in the national team, players arrive who have earned the right to play at the World Cup, and they must deliver results.
When Andriy Mykolayovych arrives, he needs to understand that he might have 15 minutes on the field — and he should heed the leaders' advice, give all his efforts and help the team. Leaders demonstrate stability; you cannot not call up a player for six months and then suddenly name him a leader. Groups, duties, and an internal structure have already formed — and this is the backbone of the team, — said Tsyhanyk.
