Against all the odds since February this year, Ukrainian men and women are still fighting for their life, freedom and future against a terrorist Russian regime. They keep showing incredible bravery and valour while beating Putin’s genocide troops who are only good at bombing kids (more than 400 are already dead and still counting) and destroying peaceful towns to the ground.
Recently, we have talked to Max, a paratrooper who is among those courageous Ukrainian soldiers who are now involved in Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the Kherson region - and he’s also a Barcelona fan.
We’ve covered a number of important topics. Max is also asking Barca supporters for their much-needed help.
When and how did you become a Barca fan?
I've been supporting Barca since 1997 when I saw them play against Dynamo Kyiv. I don’t know why but, despite losing [3-0] to Dynamo, I really fell in love with Barcelona back then. I’ve been a Barca fan for more than 20 years now.
When was the last time you saw a Barcelona match?
It was last year’s Clasico against Real Madrid. We got a glorious victory then. It was one of our finest wins against Madrid.
Is it possible for you to follow Barca news in one way or another now?
I try to keep track of the important news. I really like the Lewandowski transfer.
If Xavi joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in what role would he be most effective?
Xavi would be a great artillerist. As a player, he was known for his excellent defence-splitting passes. I think his accuracy and vision would be useful skills in the military.
What common features (tactics, decisiveness, etc.) unite the golden era of Barca during Guardiola’s times and the Ukrainian Armed Forces?
Valerii Zaluzhnyi (Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief), just like Pep, always has a clear plan for any situation. That Barcelona team was not afraid of any side in the world - and our army is not afraid of any enemy either. Aggressive attacks and streamlined defensive actions are our main strengths on the battlefield. Thanks to incoming ‘transfers’ of military aid, we gradually become even stronger.
What are your favorite Barca players in the current squad and in general?
Now it's Pedri, Gavі and Busquets. As for Barca’s stars from the past, I’d mention Kluivert, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Iniesta.
What’s your most memorable event associated with Barca?
There are a lot of such memories, but first of all, it’s Iniesta's goal in the match against Chelsea in 2009. That shot is impossible to forget. Ronaldinho's goal vs Chelsea a couple of seasons before that was pure magic, too.
In Russia, as well as in Ukraine, Barca also has a fairly large fanbase. Did you keep in touch with Barca fans in Russia before the war? If so, how did they react to their country's aggression against yours?
I didn’t personally know any such fans, but I used to read the news in Russian sports media. Now they - sports media and fans - are putting their heads in the sand as if nothing is happening, showing their true colours, hypocrisy and cowardice.
What would you say to fellow Barca fans from Russia who support the aggression against Ukraine?
If someone supports this war, it doesn’t matter what teams they are rooting for. I would rather talk to a Madrid fan who has a firm anti-war stance and helps the Ukrainian army than to a Barcelona fan who says yes or keeps his mouth shut to all the atrocities that Russia is inflicting on innocent people in my country.
What would be your main message to Barca fans around the world on the current situation in Ukraine?
Our country is attacked by the biggest barbarians on the planet, whose only goal is invading our land and causing mass terror on an unimaginable scale in the 21st century. If Barcelona is more than just a football club that has always stood up for freedom in all its manifestations, then all the Barca fans must unite to help the Ukrainians to overcome this evil.
What is your brigade lacking most at the front now, besides artillery and ammunition?
We really need two all-wheel drive vehicles, warm uniforms, warm sleeping bags, several tents and optical equipment.
It really is the time for all Barcelona supporters around the globe to unite in their help for those fellow Ukrainian fans like Max.
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