By Titas Teiten
After a season marked by frustration, change, and reflection, Brazilian forward Henrique Devens parted ways with Žalgiris Vilnius, Lithuania’s most decorated club. Now headed to a new challenge in Kazakhstan, Devens opened up about his departure, the inner dynamics of the team, and what it means to remain professional in the face of adversity.
It all began with a disaster in Malta.
After a convincing 2-0 win at home, FK Žalgiris looked to have momentarily silenced doubts surrounding their shaky domestic form. The European campaign had started strong, and with it, hope returned to the fans. But just one week later, that optimism was crushed in brutal fashion.
The return leg against Hamrun Spartans wasn’t just a loss, it was an embarrassment. A 2-0 defeat that could easily have been 4-0, capped off by a chaotic penalty shootout that ended Žalgiris’ brief Champions League dream. The elimination felt not only deserved, but symbolic of a deeper crisis.
Back home, the tension only escalated. In an A Lyga match against Džiugas, Žalgiris picked up a 2-0 win, but the post-match scenes painted a different picture. A now-viral video captured supporters storming the pitch and confronting head coach Vladimir Cheburin and club president Vilma Venslovaitienė.
The exchange was raw, emotional, and intense, undeniably personal. Fans had one demand: Cheburin must go. And Vilma? Many weren’t against her leaving either.
Then came another blow.
In the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, Žalgiris faced Northern Irish champions Linfield FC. But this time, there was no roar from the stands. PIETU IV, the club’s ultras, staged a silent protest, refusing to support the team. The message was unmistakable.
After a goalless draw in Vilnius, Žalgiris once again faltered on the road, losing 2-0 and crashing out of Europe entirely. The silence had spoken louder than any chant: the crisis was real, and it was growing.
Amid the chaos, a quiet departure took place.
Before the team faced their opponents in Northern Ireland for the second leg, Žalgiris announced that Henrique Devens was leaving the club. While his teammates prepared for a do-or-die match, Devens was already en route to a new chapter in Kazakhstan.
We caught up with the 28-year-old during a layover at Istanbul Airport. In a candid 30-minute interview, he opened up about his exit, the atmosphere inside the squad, and what really went wrong this season at Žalgiris.
First of all, how did it all come about? Was your departure from Žalgiris sudden, or had it been in discussion for a while?
About two weeks ago, I had a clear and honest conversation with the club. I wasn’t getting many minutes anymore, so I decided to approach them about my situation. They understood that my role in the squad wasn’t what had been initially promised. After that talk, they gave me the green light to look for a new club.
Then everything happened very fast. I was on the team bus preparing to travel to Kaunas, where we were flying to Northern Ireland, and just five minutes before departure, Vilma [Venslovaitienė] spoke with me. My agent called and said that the club had reached an agreement not to include me in the trip. The transfer window in Kazakhstan was about to close. I stayed in Vilnius, said goodbye to my teammates and the staff, and that was it. It was all very sudden.
During your last match for Žalgiris, was the move to Kazakhstan already confirmed?
Not at all. There were conversations with a few clubs, but nothing concrete. I was still 100% focused on Žalgiris. My agent was working behind the scenes, but I didn’t let that affect my preparation or attitude. Only the night before our trip did I have a conversation with the club in Kazakhstan. Even the next morning, during training, I wasn’t entirely sure if I was still a Žalgiris player.
After that final match in Vilnius against Linfield, there were reports of tension between you and a fan. What really happened?
There wasn’t any real tension. We were thanking the fans, and one supporter started shouting harsh words. He mentioned a few names, including mine. He was angry, probably about the club’s situation. He brought up the loss to Hamrun Spartans, calling them an amateur team.
I asked if he was blaming me or my teammates. Because at the end of the day, we are all professionals, we take this seriously. Yes, things go wrong in football, but respect is key. He was shouting in front of kids. I told him: “Just come, support, and go home.” I later found out he didn’t really have anything against me personally, he was just upset. Maybe he didn’t expect me to respond, but I was calm. I just didn’t like the attitude.
What was the atmosphere like inside the team amid the growing frustration from fans toward Vilma and coach Cheburin?
Honestly, it didn’t affect us. Maybe some players felt pressure, but overall, our group stayed focused. When you play for a big club, pressure is part of the deal. Fans expect wins every week. As a Brazilian, I’m used to that, it can be even worse back home. But this is football. It comes with the job. We stayed professional and kept pushing.
What was your reaction to the clash between fans, Vilma, and coach Cheburin after the Džiugas game?
Some players thought it was dangerous, but I wasn’t surprised. For me, that’s real football. In Brazil, these things happen all the time. You need a strong personality to perform in that kind of environment. None of this was new to me.
Was there any division or tension within the dressing room during this difficult period?
No. The locker room was fine. Everyone respected the coach and each other. There were no cliques or drama.
There’s been criticism of Cheburin from fans. How did the players feel about his style and leadership?
In my opinion, Vladimir Cheburin is one of the best coaches Lithuanian football has had. He’s a big figure in this country. Of course, when results don’t come, people get frustrated. But we trusted him. He’s very focused on set pieces, on tactics. Sometimes things just don’t click, even with top-quality players. It’s not about blame. It’s just football.
So Henrique, you say the quality of the players wasn’t the issue, and you’ve spoken highly of the coach, yet Žalgiris has had one of its worst seasons in years. What do you think went wrong?
I honestly don’t know. If I had the answer, I would’ve shared it, and maybe the club wouldn’t be in this situation. Everyone expects bigger names, sure, but if Žalgiris had been winning with this squad, people would call us heroes. On the other hand, even if you had Ronaldo and the team was losing, it wouldn’t be enough. That’s football. That’s what it means to play for a big club, expectations are sky-high, and when things don’t click, nothing feels like it’s working.
How hard was it to stay motivated as the season unravelled?
It wasn’t easy. Results help with motivation. But I try to stay professional. I do my extra work on and off the pitch. Sometimes motivation is just a word: you do your job whether you feel like it or not. We had tough days, but this is what we’re paid to do.
Many players have left Žalgiris on bad terms. Was that the case for you?
Not at all. We had a mutual understanding. They brought in another striker and I got fewer minutes, but I understood the situation. I had no issues with Vilma or Cheburin. Sometimes it’s just not the right fit. You need the right coach and the right environment.
In your view, is Vilma helping the club move forward or holding it back?
I believe she deserves respect. When she took over, Žalgiris was a different club. She’s strong, she gives her life to this team. Everyone makes mistakes, it’s part of the job. I think she’s doing a great job overall. This season was difficult, but we shouldn’t blame one or two people. We all need to learn and grow.
What could have been done differently this season?
That’s hard to say. If I had the answer, I would’ve tried to help. Every person at the club has their own role. It’s not the player’s place to question management decisions.
If you could go back, would you still sign for Žalgiris?
(laughs) I don’t believe in “what ifs.” I don’t regret it at all. Žalgiris is the biggest club in Lithuania and the Baltics. Coming from the second division and playing at the highest level here, it was an honor. I had great moments with the fans, especially PIETU IV. This move was meant to be.
Do you see yourself returning to Lithuania one day?
Never say never. I’ve said twice that I wouldn’t come back, and here I am. Lithuania is special to me, I’ve built roots here. Who knows, maybe even business opportunities. For now, I’m focused on my next chapter. I want to enjoy the game again, feel free, and stay hungry.
What are your expectations for this new move? Did Žalgiris receive a transfer fee?
I don’t know about the fee. That’s not something I was informed about. I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I want to live in the moment.
How did the move come together?
I think their coach or sporting director called Cheburin, who spoke positively about me and said I was professional and hard-working. They also reached out to Artūras Žulpa, who knows the league well, and he said good things. After one phone call with the coach, things moved quickly. The next morning, I was no longer a Žalgiris player.
We thank Henrique Devens for his time, honesty, and professionalism during this interview. We wish him the very best in his next chapter, both on and off the pitch.
