Georgy Sudakov, UAF 04 September 2025, 18:30

Benfika newcomer Georgy Sudakov commented his transfer to the ranks of the Portuguese Grand and told about the call to the national team of Ukraine.

“I do not yet understand that I first came to the national team as a legionnaire. Honestly, I didn’t think about it. I became a player of Benphyry very quickly. When there was two or three days in Lisbon and signed the contract, I was not fully believed.

For the first time my possible transfer was written by Portuguese media, and about a week a week and a half I saw the news that I was interested. But in a couple of years I was interested in many teams, so I did not pay attention to it. I have learned from the agent who called me on August 24 in the evening, shortly before the match with Swett. He said, they say, there is a substantive interest from Benfika, and perhaps from Geneva you will fly to Lisbon.

The most difficult was expectation. These four to five days, when you do not understand, will decide whether the question will not be resolved. The transfer window already ends, and they seem to write that clubs have agreed, and you know nothing about it, no one has agreed with you personal conditions. The condition is pumped. So, first of all, I tuned to my game against Swett. It was an important match. It is good that Shakhtar won and went out into the main round of the conference League. And at night, I agreed to the conditions with Benphyry.

Has my level of motivation and charging increased after transfer? It’s hard to say, but the feeling was born again. As if you start with a blank sheet again. In the miner you have already passed a certain stage, and here you need to start again. Benfica is a big step forward for me. I came out of the comfort zone and understand how interesting it is to start the process with a new team, with new partners, coaches, to learn new football moments.

I did not get any special tips from Anatoly Trubin. We were constantly in touch with him, he dropped my contacts with one girl to study Portuguese. I will try to engage in language two or three days a week-to learn at least basic things. This will make me easier for my team, although almost everyone speaks English. But still, it is good to get to a new level of knowledge and communicate with the coach, partners – and in everyday life – Portuguese.

Benphyry infrastructure is simply incredible. I was at the stadium and on the base. Everything to make you develop and play. Lisbon is a wonderful city. Weather, delicious food, many Ukrainians. When we close all household things in a few months, it will be easier to psychologically. Now I’m worried about moving the family, plus a pregnant wife, a young child. Thoughts about apartments, a car, how to transport things … When it is closed, it will be much easier.

What will the national team get from this? Another legionnaire. I always said that we had talented football players in Ukraine. He saw an interview with Vanata, in which he said that now the level of the Ukrainian Championship is low. But, in principle, it is very difficult to play in every match. Whether against the epicenter, or against heather or dynamo. Every duel in the championship is very difficult, especially when you play a miner. All teams go against you like the last match. But perhaps the level of intensity of the game, the quality of the fields is not enough. The European Cups are a completely different level. And for the national team, the fact that more players will play at the highest level, in the Champions League, is a positive. I and the Zabarny, who went to the PSG, will play in the Champions League. Anatoly Trubin with me. Plus, those players who perform in England and Italy. Mykolenko and Yarmolyuk in the APL every match as in the Champions League. I think the team wins such a team, “Sudakov said.

Help rib to choose the composition of the national team of Ukraine for a match against France

Ukrainians will meet with the French in Polish Wroclaw tomorrow, September 5. The starting whistle sounds at 21:45 for Kiev. For both teams, this match will be the first in the framework of the World Cup-2026.

The national team again on the field! Choose the Leo match together with the Lvivske brand – vote for the best player while playing on the site.