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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Stranded Brazilian footballers have appealed to the government of their country to evacuate them Ukraine following the invasion of the country by Russia.
The footballers who play for Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv- the two biggest clubs in Ukraine, along with their family members, in a video shared on social media on Thursday, cried out over the situation in war-hit Ukraine.
The video was uploaded and shared on Twitter by journalists, Arthur Quezada and Gustavo Hofman.
Shakhtar Donetsk striker, Junior Moraes, 34, also posted a message on Instagram, saying; “The situation is one of despair. I ask you to disclose this video so that it reaches the [Brazilian] government.
“Borders are closed, banks [are shut], there is no fuel, there will be a shortage of food, there is no money.
“All friends and family, the situation is serious and we are stuck in Kyiv waiting for a solution to get out. We are inside a hotel. Pray for us.
“We are gathered waiting for a plan to leave Ukraine.”
There are 12 Brazilian players in the Shakhtar Donetsk squad, including David Neres, who had just completed a transfer from Dutch club, Ajax, in January.
Other Brazilian players in Shakhtar Donetsk’s squad are defenders Dodo, Vitao, Marlon, Ismaily and Vinicius Tobias, plus midfielders Maycon, Marcos Antonio, Tete, Alan Patrick, Pedrinho and Fernando.