Brazilian footballer Yan Fabrisio of Rivne's Veres spoke in an exclusive interview with Sport RBC.UA about his first months in Ukraine, compared Ukrainian and Brazilian football, and shared his impressions of the new season's start. The foreign player, who joined the Ukrainian club from Brazil's Flamengo, noted that his adaptation went remarkably smoothly thanks to the support of his teammates and coaching staff, as well as his fluent English, which allowed him to quickly establish communication within the squad.
Season start: two defeats and faith in the team's potential
Fabrisio did not hide that the start of the championship had been tough for Veres. In his words, the team suffered two defeats in matches where, in the Brazilian's view, they could at least have drawn with strong opponents. At the same time, the foreign player emphasized his confidence in the squad: "We know how strong our team is and how much we work every day." He framed his personal goals pragmatically — to help his teammates and coaching staff with good play and victories, and, when possible, to score goals and deliver decisive assists.
Ukrainian football versus Brazilian: physicality and tactics
Comparing the two footballing worlds, Fabrisio pointed to a key difference: in Ukraine the game is significantly more physical and intense. "Here you have very little time to think about your next move with the ball," the Brazilian noted. He also drew attention to the high level of tactical discipline in Ukrainian football, which, in his observation, differs substantially from the freer, more improvisational style of play he is used to in Brazil.
Adaptation and life in Rivne
Despite changing continents, climate, and footballing culture, Fabrisio said that acclimatization went "very easily" for him. In his words, the atmosphere in the club played a key role: the sporting director, the coaching staff, and his teammates accepted him "as if I were part of their family." His fluent English further simplified everyday communication. The Brazilian described Rivne itself as a "beautiful city," where in his free time he prefers to relax at home, occasionally visiting restaurants or taking walks in the park.
Who helped him settle in: Kharatin and the coaching staff
Talking about the people who helped him most with his adaptation, Fabrisio named the team captain Igor Kharatin and the coach. The Brazilian, who himself wore the captain's armband for several years early in his career, expressed deep respect for how Kharatin and the coach unite the squad around a common goal. "They always invite me to talk, we are constantly in communication and looking for ways to improve the team. I see them as tireless people, always striving to get the maximum out of the team," the foreign player emphasized.
Mentality and personal observations
Fabrisio separately touched on the mental traits of the Ukrainian people, which, in his opinion, are personally close to him. He noted the strength of character, resilience, and drive for constant self-improvement that he observes around him. "This has always been part of my life. And here I realized that thanks to hard work and God, good things will always happen," the Brazilian said. In response to a question about what he would take with him in a hypothetical departure, Fabrisio answered that he would carry "all the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people," and that he would miss Veres for its positive atmosphere and the people working in the club.
