Henrikh Mkhitaryan: "Present my boots?! I will try to." (photos)

On April 10, Shakhtar midfielder met with the reporters on the sidelines of the Donbass Arena pitch. Thre Pitmen’s offensive leader answered the questions from the mass media ahead of the game vs Zorya.

- Henrikh, the first question is probably still a bit non-football. Have you read that Gaitana is ready to sing Shakhtar’s anthem in Armenian? What do you make of it?

- Of course, I read that. For me the most important thing is not to score 25 goals, so that she could sing Shakhtar anthem in Armenian. The important thing for me is to help the team win our every game.

- What stimulates you more - an opportunity to listen to the anthem in your honour or to beat Starukhin’s record?

- To be honest, for me the most important thing is Shakhtar’s team game and victory. If I manage to break the records of Starukhin and of the Ukrainian league since independence - I think it will also be very nice. But the teamwork is paramount for me.

- And did you discuss your goalscoring record with the teammates and the coach?

- Well, it was kind of quasi-communication so to say. The lads said: “If there’s a penalty - we'll let you score.” I replied, “No, thanks, I want to score all the goals on the run.”

- But do you want to play in Europe?

- This is a different matter. I am not going to answer it now, because the time has not come for this conversation yet. My heart is in Donetsk, with Shakhtar. And at the end of the season it will be clear - let them talk with the president, let him agree. And only then, if indeed there is an offer, I'll consider it.

- Is Darijo Srna’s example close to you vision?

- Everything is possible in life. I can’t deny anything, hence my reluctance to talk on this topic.

- After Dynamo, don’t you have a feel that the league season is over and all the tasks are fulfilled?

- No, I don’t. The fight continues. Despite the fact that we are just four points from the league title, we should do everything to win the remaining games. Shakhtar play every match to win, regardless of whether it's a league game or a friendly game.

- Henrikh, were there such cases in your career when your goal was assigned to someone else first, but then justice was re-established?

- No, this is the first such case in my career. It was nice to see after the game that I was registered as the scorer. This is my 21st goal. But the most important thing is the victory over Dynamo, because the fight was not easy at all. I think that we haven’t played such a game against them for ages, being very interesting and challenging one.

- What does Mister say about the 25th goal? Maybe, you'll mark it somehow or the team will present you with some gift?

- No, they haven’t said anything. But most importantly, the team are glad that I scored. I am delighted at that.

- Henrikh, if we return to the subject of transfers, there are a lot of rumours in the press your move specifically to English Liverpool. How can you comment on this?

- Once again, let me tell you this. I do not know which team is interested in me, and if Dmytro Selyuk knows that well, then please contact him and ask him this question. My thoughts are with Shakhtar only and until the end of this season I'll just think about this team and about my helping the club.

- Iker Casillas has a tradition of presenting the fans with his gloves after a game. If you score the memorable goal, will you present anyone with your boots?

- Boots? I will try to. (laughs) But I think that it will be possible to give thm my T-shirt, if I score the 22nd goal.

- You are wearing the T-shirt featuring Al Pacino. Is there any meaning in it for you?

- No, I just liked it, so I wear it. (laughing)

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