I have known Leonid Buryak, an outstanding football player, Honored Master of Sports and Honored Coach of Ukraine, for about 50 years.. Our friendship is strong, and during all this time there were not even serious disagreements between us: always understanding and mutual respect.

Over the years of working as a sports journalist in the newspapers “Evening Kyiv”, “Team”, “Vseukrainskie Vedomosti”, “Kyiv Vedomosti”, on Ukrainian radio FM, “Stolitsa”, “Obriy +”, “Sport Oboz”, “Zet”, on television and various Internet platforms, I interviewed Leonid Buryak many times. He always gave frank answers.

We agreed that in this interview I will ask questions that will not contain the word " According to my calculations, there were 144 such questions over the years.. Today – 13 more.

About Kyiv and family - Leonid, you have been living in Kyiv for 53 years. Love the city on the Dnieper? - Yes, yes! In Kyiv I met my wife - the girl of my dreams. She became my favorite wife. Our children were born here - daughter Oksana and son Andrei, and now we have a grandson Anton. I’ll continue with the words from the popular song: “How can you not love me, my Kiev…” I also love Odessa, where I was born, and where my journey into big-time sports began.

– Often give flowers to Zhanna? – On our garden plot there is a flower bed with flowers.. In the morning, when Zhanna is still sleeping, I wake up early, cut flowers and often put them next to my sleeping wife.. Less often in winter, but I still try to please Zhanna.

About character and life principles - They say you love to do good to people. – Diderot said: “The happiest person is the one who brings happiness to the greatest number of people.”.

– Are there character flaws - Everyone has shortcomings. I have excessive gullibility, which sometimes causes harm, and a short temper. I really value honesty and decency, I hate lies and betrayal.

– Your life credo? – “Try often to do great things without promising great things.”. I don’t remember the author of these words, but I try to be guided by them.

About family and home – Your family seems exemplary. How to maintain harmony? – Zhanna and I have a friendly family. We always try to live hand in hand, despite envious people and difficulties. I'm glad to come home, where it's warm and cozy. Zhanna is a true keeper of the family hearth.

– They often ask for an autograph or a photo? – Often, and I don’t refuse anyone. It’s nice that not only the people of Kiev know and respect you.

Personal and hobbies – What do you do when you’re in a bad mood - This happens extremely rarely.

– Favorite holidays, numbers, music, clothes? – New Year and March 8. Number - seven. I prefer calm music, it always plays in the car. Favorite clothes: jeans and shirts. I don't wear ties.

– Use the metro? – I haven’t used it for a long time. I mostly travel by car, follow the rules and try not to speed. There were, of course, fines.

– Dreams come true? – Many of my dreams have come true, and it’s nice. But not everything works out.

About grandchildren - You are a happy grandfather. Tell us about your grandchildren. – We have five grandchildren. The eldest, Anton, is 19 years old, he studies in France and dreams of becoming a virologist. Ilyan, 9 years old, studies at the school of Bayern Munich, has already won several individual prizes. The youngest, Anastasia, 6 years old, is fond of figure skating and recently won a trophy at a tournament where older rivals participated. We are proud of them.

About life and happiness – You are considered calm and content with your lot in life. It's true? – I strive for a life full of bright events. A person achieves success where he believes in himself. I don’t expect gifts from fate, but I create life myself - for myself and for loved ones.

These are Leonid Buryak’s answers to 13 of my questions asked over the years. It’s easy and pleasant to communicate with him, and his life principles and love for family inspire.