Trubin relives Benfica heroics amid Ukraine war toll (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Last week's Champions League final group games brought incredible drama, particularly in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Needing an injury time goal to keep their participation in this year's competition alive, Benfica sent their Ukrainian goalkeeper, Anatoly Trubin, into the box to join the attack. Many a team have done it, have they not? Unbelievably, this time, Trubin, who is 24 years old, made the perfect connection to a free kick, scoring a sensational headed goal, in the process sending the home supporters into ecstasy, not to mention his manager. Trubin's incredible goal also brought to light his struggles to make it as a top flight goalkeeper because of the war with Russia. He is, of course, Ukrainian. He was forced to leave his home more than once because of that fighting. Well, I'm delighted to say that Anatoly Trubin, Benfica goalkeeper and Benfica hero, joins us from his home in Lisbon. It's so good to talk to you. Thank you so much for joining us on the BBC. If I could ask you, first of all, how do you feel now looking back at that fantastic goal?

[00:01:06] Speaker 2: Hello, everyone. Actually, it's amazing feelings because it's something I have never did before. So for me, it's something special, a special moment stuck in my head, in the world for all of my life.

[00:01:27] Speaker 1: And what's the reaction been? How has it changed your life now?

[00:01:34] Speaker 2: Actually, nothing changed. Only now the people outside say to me, you scored a good goal. So it's a little bit strange because you work hard to defend the goal, but everyone remembers that you scored. So it's something, something strange.

[00:01:51] Speaker 1: And of course, the expectation that every time there is a need for a last minute goal, you're going to be there.

[00:01:59] Speaker 2: Yeah, some of my teammates said before recently games, let's go second one, second one.

[00:02:06] Speaker 1: And what did your manager Jose Mourinho say to you afterwards? What was his reaction to you? What did he say to you afterwards?

[00:02:13] Speaker 2: Actually, nothing, because after the game, everyone was so happy. So he just look at me, we shake our hands and he just do like this.

[00:02:23] Speaker 1: Oh, I know. I can imagine. I want to talk to you about the war in Ukraine, if I can, because you are obviously Ukrainian and the war has shaped your life and your career in so many ways. Talk me through how it's affected you and your family.

[00:02:43] Speaker 2: It affects a lot because already four years since I left Ukraine. Also, only my family can come to me, so it's difficult to not see them. Cannot come back to my home in Kyiv. And also, I don't remember even when the last time I was in Donetsk. So for me, it's really difficult because I really like Ukraine, every city. So for me, it's something special, special moment there. Some memories with my wife, also my football career. And it's difficult that I cannot return there.

[00:03:32] Speaker 1: Talk to me a little bit about your dream of becoming a professional footballer. How did that all come about?

[00:03:42] Speaker 2: Actually, I don't know what to say exactly, but football is the most popular sport in the world. So, of course, I play as a kid and I really like to watch it. And maybe because of my granddad, because he also was a football player. Of course, not professional, but he played with a local team. So maybe because of him and also because I really love this sport.