There is only one chance — grab it

18-year-old footballer Trafim Melnichenka from Minsk’s FC Dinamo has transferred to Portugal’s FC Porto. According to estimates from the Portuguese press, Dinamo has received €380,000 for the player, and the forward has signed a contract with Porto for three and a half years.

Trafim Melnichenka, Belarusian football player

“I am very happy to join Porto,” admitted Trafim. “When you watch teams like this — the giants of world football — at the age of 10–12, you want to reach for that. When fate gives you such a chance, it’s gratifying. I am the kind of person who aims high. When you set goals that may seem unattainable they often come true. My goal is to win a trophy with Porto. I will do everything possible to benefit the fans, the team, and the city. I believe my teammates will help me settle in.” 
In a recent interview, Trafim referred to his sporting freedom as his greatest strength, “In some ways, I am bold in a good way. This allows taking what’s yours in sport. And generally, if a person is timid, it will be difficult for them in football.” This freedom should certainly help Melnichenka ignore the critics who are loudly surprised at why Porto could need a forward who scored only three goals in all competitions last year. Yes, in 2023, Trafim netted ten goals for the reserves, but that’s what reserves are for… Yes, in 2024, Melnichenka made history in Belarusian football as the youngest player to represent the national team (at the age of 17 years and 353 days). However, having played in 37 matches, he managed to gain a meagre 3 + 5 in the goal-plus-assist system. Defender Aliaksei Haurylovich has far better scoring statistics. Porto’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta spoke of Melnichenka as follows, “Trafim is a high-quality forward or second striker who possesses good ball control and a keen eye for goal. We hope he can adapt to a group of players of a similar age and footballing outlook as quickly as possible. Porto B is indeed in a difficult situation in the league. We understand that players like Trafim can help the rest of the team realise that the club is committed to supporting the B team to the fullest, and can bring in elements that matter, namely attacking play and physicality. We believe this player can assist us during a challenging time to seek new solutions and continue to grow as a B team.”
It is certainly encouraging that Dinamo has not taken a strict parental approach and has not kept Melnichenka under various disciplinary measures. Now, his move to Portugal presents an opportunity to make his football career unforgettable. In fact, Melnichenka’s transfer to Porto is also a chance for Minsk’s Dinamo. Belarus’ champions of the last two years, who have regained their status as the flagship of our football, returned from their break with a clear desire to reach a new level. For various reasons, 16 players have left the team, and this number may increase if foreign buyers acquire the country’s best player, goalkeeper Fiodar Lapavukhau. Who will replace them? Currently, names being mentioned among the club’s newcomers include former attacking midfielder Yauheni Shauchenka from Zhodino’s Torpedo-BELAZ and Tula’s Arsenal, another player from Zhodino, Maksim Myakish, Russian defender Ilya Kalachev, and former FC Vitebsk forward Karen Vardanyan. However, this list is likely to be expanded further.

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As for Melnichenka, he surely keeps in mind the experience of Abdukodir Khusanov. At the age of 18, this Uzbek defender shone while playing for Minsk’s FC Energetik-BGU, and in the summer of 2023, he moved to Lens, a French football club. There, it took Khusanov just a year and a half to attract the attention of the world’s top clubs. Today, he is set to undergo a medical examination with FC Manchester City. The transfer fee is reported to be €40 million plus numerous bonuses. Just to give you an idea of the scale of these figures, Aleksandr Hleb was transferred from London’s Arsenal to Barcelona for just over half that amount. If the information regarding Khusanov’s transfer is confirmed, he will become the most expensive footballer to have ever played in the Belarusian league.

By Sergei Gordiyenko