Jherson Rodrigues, the striker for Luhansk's Zorya, spoke candidly in an exclusive interview with the YouTube channel "PROFOOTBALL Digital" about the reasons behind his return to Ukraine in the midst of a full-scale war. The footballer, who recently joined the Luhansk club as a free agent, emphasized that the fear of enemy bombardments took a back seat to his desire not to be separated from his child. According to him, he is in constant contact with his younger son's mother — Ukrainian tennis player Olga Yanchuk — and it was precisely this bond that became the decisive factor in his decision to stay in the country.
A Personal Bond with Ukraine Stronger Than Fear
"There are shelling attacks in Ukraine, but I moved here. I went through all of this together with my son's mother, knowing everything that was happening. I simply could not stay away from my child just because of the war and enemy bombardments," Rodrigues stated in the conversation, as reported by Sport RBC.UA. The striker noted that he had been closely following the news from Ukraine and deeply felt the tragedy of the Ukrainian people while being abroad. In his own words, he will "share all the realities of Ukrainian life" and intends to live the way people in the country where he now plays do.
The Road from Dynamo to Zorya: Scandals, Loans, and Free Agency
Rodrigues's career biography in Ukraine is not without drama. From 2019 to 2025, the forward was under contract with Kyiv's Dynamo, for which he won the championship title, the Ukrainian Cup, and two domestic Super Cups. However, numerous off-field scandals led to the player regularly being sent out on loan — to France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. His last club before returning to Ukraine was North Macedonia's Vardar. According to ua-football.com, before joining Zorya, Rodrigues reportedly considered a return to Dynamo, but ultimately signed a contract with the Luhansk club. Another source from the same publication notes that the transfer process itself was so discreet that, according to one journalist, even Zorya's coaching staff was not immediately aware of the deal's details.
A Debut with a Twist of Fate: Zorya vs. Dynamo
Rodrigues's debut match for Zorya was also symbolic. In the 7th round of the Ukrainian Premier League, the Luhansk team faced the forward's former club — Kyiv's Dynamo. The match ended in a 2:0 victory for Dynamo, with Rodrigues coming on as a substitute in the 56th minute. Thus, his first appearance on the field in his new kit coincided with a game against the team where he had spent six seasons and won all the major trophies. The Sport RBC.UA editorial team also presented its own version of the symbolic team of the 7th UPL round, in which Rodrigues, despite his limited time on the field, attracted the attention of observers.
"I Hope Everything Will Come Back Soon"
Wrapping up the interview, Rodrigues expressed sympathy for all of Ukraine's losses and called for a swift return of peace. "I will fight here, and I will live the way people here live. I sympathize with all of Ukraine's losses, and I pray every day that things get better here. That the Ukraine that was will return. Beautiful cities… And I hope that everything will come back soon," summarized the Luxembourg national team player. His words became one of the few public statements by a foreign footballer who not only stayed in the country during hostilities but also tied a personal, family story to it.
