After his successful escape from Ukraine, Brazilian footballer Junior Moraes donated the equivalent of 47,600 euros for humanitarian aid in the war-torn region, according to local media. The 34-year-old striker from Shakhtar Donetsk was naturalized in the eastern European country three years ago and has played eleven international matches (one goal) for his new homeland.
Moraes, who also played for Metalurg Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, fled with his family and other Brazilian players from Kyiv to the neighboring Republic of Moldova on Monday (February 28, 2022) before the Russian invasion. Due to his dual citizenship, he ran the risk of having to take part in combat operations after the mobilization decreed by the Ukrainian President.
European debut in Romania
Born in Sao Paulo, Moraes joined the Romanian top flight from Brazil aged 23, scoring ten goals in 17 games for Gloria Bistrita in the 2010/11 season. As a result, he was transferred to Metalurg Donetsk in the winter of 2011 after half a season. In March 2019 he took Ukrainian citizenship.
Source: sid