Ukrainian midfielder and Schalke Yevgeny Konoplyanka gave an interview to a UEFA television magazine.

- Now you are one of the most experienced players of the national team.. Do you feel additional responsibility on your shoulders?.

- Something I often began to hear that I was no longer young (laughs). But this is a natural process, and now we have to prepare for games a little differently.. Now I have the age and experience that allow you to take control of the situation on the field. Yes, we have a young team, but at the same time, quite experienced, so do not even suggest. Sometimes one look is enough. Everyone knows what component of the game he has the best, and uses it at the right time..

- Who do you think is the best football player of those with whom you played in the same team or against?.

- If against - then this is Lionel Messi.. No wonder he was awarded the Golden Ball five times.. I tried somehow to take the ball from him several times - it is useless! Every time something went wrong (laughs). And if a teammate ... They were many, especially in the Dnieper, my home club. I was pleased to play with Evgeny Seleznev and Ruslan Rotan. They could play the pass with eyes closed. And still in the first place - Rotan. He took balls for me, insured my zone, and in general was a real captain.

- Messi and Rotan - a great duet! Can you remember some special installation on the game? Such that it gets ... - These were all installations in Seville. Unai Emery was so able to get players that all the goosebumps ran. And no matter what it was for the match - La Liga, Cup, Europa League. The same can be said about Domenico Tedesco in Schalke. He does it differently than Emery, but the result is the same: we enter the match as if it were a battle.. I guess I'm lucky to have such mentors.

- Can you highlight the moment that has become the key to your career? Not necessarily in football, maybe something from childhood?.

- No, I can not ... If he were, I would remember. My father was not a football player. Yes, he supports me, but in no way influenced my career. Since childhood, I myself have been looking for motivation: wake up at seven, run to the gym, work ... Everything depended on myself. When he was small, he forced himself to grow. After all, no one except you will go to train and learn to score, right?.

Would you like to know the main football news first? Subscribe to our Telegram channel! You can also follow our website on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter..