Zorya Luhansk captain Pylyp Budkivskyi shared his memories of the beginning of his football career and his move to the Shakhtar Donetsk academy at the age of 14. A native of Kyiv, he admitted that he had dreamed of playing for Dynamo since childhood, but fate led him to the ranks of their arch-rival. The first weeks in an unfamiliar city were extremely difficult for the future Ukraine youth international due to moral pressure and separation from his family.
Childhood dreams and an unexpected turn of fate
Pylyp Budkivskyi started playing football at the Kyiv club Otradny. Following a successful campaign in the final stage of the Youth Football League of Ukraine, where his team outpaced peers from capital powerhouse Dynamo, the young forward expected an invitation from the main city club. However, the Dynamo coaching staff decided not to recruit players from that squad. A twist of fate played a decisive role: the Otradny coach gave the youngster the phone numbers of Shakhtar scouts, which led to a successful trial and admission to the Donetsk academy.
The boarding school test and first weeks of adaptation
Moving to another region at the age of 14 became a serious psychological trial for the teenager. Far away from his parents, school, and familiar friends, Budkivskyi faced a deep emotional crisis. According to the player, at first he struggled to cope with the stress, often isolating himself in the bathroom to endure homesickness. Over time, the situation improved: new friendships in the dormitory, support from peers, and a gradual adjustment to the strict routine of the sports boarding school helped him push through.
Working with legends and missing out on the first team
Despite being the all-time top scorer for the Ukraine under-21 national team, Pylyp Budkivskyi never made an official appearance for the Shakhtar senior team. The forward notes that he treats this calmly, although he was once called up to train with the main squad. He was fortunate enough to share the pitch with club legends such as Fernandinho, Douglas Costa, Willian, Darijo Srna, Vyacheslav Shevchuk, and Yaroslav Rakitskyi, from whom he managed to gain valuable experience.
The value of early experience for a professional career
The path taken at the Shakhtar academy laid the foundation for Budkivskyi's subsequent performances at the professional level. Despite adaptation difficulties and a lack of playing time with the senior team in Donetsk, the acquired schooling toughened the forward's character. The skills gained and training under renowned mentors alongside world-class masters helped him establish himself as a professional football player, building a bright career in Ukrainian clubs and the national team.
