STUTTGART : Ukraine centre back Ilya Zabarnyi said he turned down an invitation to play for his country at the Paris Olympics because he needs to rest after a long football season.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Group B - Dynamo Kyiv v Fenerbahce - Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Stadium, Krakow, Poland - November 3, 2022 Fenerbahce's Enner Valencia in action with Dynamo Kyiv's Ilya Zabarnyi REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
"Ukraine is in this tournament for the first time, it is very important but if I go there, I will miss the pre-season training with Bournemouth, I will not be able to recover and rest," Zabarnyi said. Ukraine take on Belgium in their final Group E clash in Stuttgart on Wednesday with all four teams in the group on three points. Romania and Belgium occupy the top two spots on goal difference, ahead of Slovakia and the Ukrainians.
"I can't play football 24/7 - I really want to, but I understand that if I am everywhere, I can burn out," he said.
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