Trubin's Heroics: From War-Torn Ukraine to Benfica's Champions League Saviour
Anatoliy Trubin's journey from Shakhtar to Benfica has been marked by personal courage in the face of war, with his recent goal against Real Madrid healing old wounds.
A Ukrainian goalkeeper who fled his war-torn homeland has become an unlikely hero at Benfica, dedicating his crucial goal against Real Madrid to his suffering country as the invasion approaches its fourth anniversary.
From War Zone to European Stage
Anatoliy Trubin’s recent goalscoring heroics for Benfica against Real Madrid might seem a world away from the reality of his homeland, but the Ukrainian keeper carries that burden with him every day. The 22-year-old shot-stopper has been vocal about the impact of Russia’s invasion since it began four years ago this month.
“The war me has affected profoundly,” Trubin revealed after his goal against Madrid secured Benfica’s place among Europe’s elite 24. Having left Ukraine four years ago, his family can only visit occasionally, creating a painful separation from his roots.
Trubin’s stance against Putin has been clear from day one. Just a month after the invasion began in February 2022, he didn’t mince his words in a CNN interview, describing the Russian president in the starkest terms as a killer.
”Special Talent” - The Coach’s View
Igor Jovicevic, who managed Trubin at Shakhtar Donetsk during 2022, speaks about his former protégé with genuine admiration:
- “He’s cut from a different cloth - physically, tactically, mentally”
- “He was always ahead of his age in his development and reasoning”
- “Benfica is huge, but he’s destined for one of Europe’s five or six giants”
The Croatian coach maintains close contact with Trubin and called him after the Madrid goal: “I told him he was now at peace with Madrid,” referencing a painful 95th-minute Antonio Rüdiger goal Trubin conceded in October 2022 when Shakhtar were minutes away from a famous victory.
“He took that hard, blaming himself partly for his positioning. Imagine the journey back - six hours on a coach to Kyiv because you couldn’t fly due to the war, just replaying that moment. His goal against Madrid has finally closed that wound.”
World Cup Dreams
Ukraine has only qualified for one World Cup in their history - back in 2006 when Trubin was just four years old. This March, he’ll be central to their playoff campaign as they face Sweden first, with a potential final against either Poland or Albania if successful.
For a player who’s seen his homeland torn apart, representing Ukraine on football’s biggest stage would be more than just sporting success - it would be a powerful statement of national resilience in the face of continuing aggression.