Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar Donetsk (2005/2007)

The countries at Eastern Europe became economically strong. Ukraine was an exemple. Shkathar decided to invest it’s money in Leonardo and other Brazilians.

“The adaptation wasn’t easy. The language, the weather were completely different, but the club and the friends helped me”, remembers the defender.

When Leonardo accepted to play in Shakhtar, he had a goal: to conquer his space in the European market. In Shakthar he found friends as: Elano, Matuzalem, Fernandinho, Brandão and Jadson.

The cold wasn’t an obstacle to the defender, used to live in Araçatuba and Santos. “I used to train with two caps, many jackets and frozen eyebrows”, says Leonardo that realized a dream playing the Uefa Champions League. In 2005/06, Shakthar had a hard opponent. The team couldn’t win Inter Milan.

In 2006 Leoanrdo was Ukranian champion. In Champions League passed the first round beating Legia Warsaw and ensured a place in Group D, formed by Valencia (SPA), Roma (ITA) ans Olympiacos (GRE).

“It’s the biggest championship in the world. It’s an extraordinary atmosphere. Play a Champions League is an unique opportunity”, said Leonardo. He also played Uefa Cup.

In 2005/06 Shakhtar played in Group D against PAOK (GRE), Rapid Bucareste (ROU), Rennes (FRA) and Stuttgart (GER). In third round the team was eliminated by Lille (FRA).

In 2007, Leonardo decided to go back to Brazil. So, he went back to Santos, where he had won the Brazilian Championship in 2004.