At only 21 years old Mykhaylo Mudryk is only at the beginning of his footballing career, but he already has one thing in common with some of the sports biggest names. Like Ronaldinho, Alessandro De Piero and Andres Iniesta, Mudryk was applauded by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd despite being an opposition player.
Last November when Shakhtar Donetsk lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and before the conflict in Ukraine, Mudryk showcased his talents at the home of the soon-to-be European champions. A fine display featuring dribbles, passes, hooks and general exciting play ended with the home crowd applauding when he was substituted in the 71st minute of the 2-1 defeat. High praise for a burgeoning talent.
Since that evening when Mudryk offered a first glimpse of his ability to the high spheres of football, the Krasnograd native has continued his development with Shakhtar, where he joined as a schoolboy, and the noise around the youngster continues to grow with a prospective move being turned down last summer.
“Mudryk is our Vinicius Junior,” Shakhtar’s sporting director, Darjo Srna, told Sport prior to last year’s meeting with Madrid. “There are few players with such qualities. We work with him every day and he has changed a lot.” Such words can weigh heavy on young talents but, if anything, Mudryk’s development has accelerated and led to recent links with Premier League clubs.
Tactically adaptable, he has often been stationed on the left wing, where he will line-up again on Wednesday when Shakhtar travel to Madrid to face Real for the third consecutive group-stages. Under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who left Shakhtar after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has since been appointed at Brighton & Hove Albion, Mudryk scored twice and provided nine assists in his first full season with the club.
“I need not only to win the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ukrainian Cup, to play well in the Champions League, but also to educate young players,” De Zerbi said last year. “Mudryk is one of the best young footballers. If I don’t take him to a higher level I will consider it a personal defeat.”
Mudryk is a symbol of hope in Ukraine
Mudryk finding his footballing feat has occurred against a torrid backdrop; with Ukrainian football and all those linked to the country having their minds elsewhere during such troubling times. Yet, Mudryk can be satisfied with earning his first call-up for the national team, wearing the Ukrainian jersey with pride and offering his countrymen hope.
The 21-year-old is currently a strong symbol for his homeland. Representing the hope of better days, the blond-haired tyro, who sports a headband when on the pitch, has become a role model for aspirational youngsters in Ukraine. “Many young footballers dream of entering the highest-level, I am no exception,” Mudryk explained to Tribuna. “I don’t care what they write. I don’t follow rumours. I’m completely focused on Shakhtar and the national team.”
It will be the job of Dani Carvajal, Real’s right-back, to dampen Mudryk’s impact at the Bernabeu for a second season running. Mudryk may not have scored yet in the league this season — four matches have been played since football restarted in Ukraine last month — but he has assisted four goals including three in the first half of Saturday’s 6-1 victory against Metalist Kharkiv.
In Europe Mudryk scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Celtic and netted another whilst also providing two assists when Shakhtar defeated RB Leipzig 4-1. Aside from the numbers, it is the thrill that the attacker offers to Shakhtar’s fans when racing up-field and the promise of unburdened hope when he seeks betterment of an opposing defender.
Back at the Bernabeu and Mudryk will be eager to show that even in the space of 12 months, his game has improved. “I like the way Cristiano Ronaldo plays,” Mudryk explained to The Times last month. “I see myself like that: as a winger. I need more time to change my position from No11 or No7 to No9. With time, it is possible. Ronaldo’s my inspiration because he shows what you can do if you work hard and believe in yourself.”