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Writer's pictureDag Jenkins

Andriy Shevchenko

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Andrij Mykolajovyč Ševčenko, known in Europe as Andriy Shevchenko, was born in Dvirkivščyna on September 29, 1976. When he was three his family moved to Kyiv. In 1986 due to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he was temporarily evacuated from the city. At an early age he was also a competitive boxer but he then chose football.

 

He began his career at Dynamo Kyiv. He started with Dynamo Kyiv 2 for four years. In 1994 he then moved up to the first team where he won five league titles in a row. He played 166 league games and scored 94 goals (60 in league). He caught Europe's eye with a hat-trick over two legs against Real Madrid.

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In 1999 he joined A.C Milan for a then record fee of $25 million. He stayed seven seasons and was a great success. With the Rossoneri he won one Scudetto (2004), one Champions league (2003), one UEFA Super Cup (2003), one Coppa Italia (2003) and one Italian Supercoppa (2004). He was top Serie A scorer twice (2000, 2004) and won the Ballon d'Or in 2004. He played 296 games for Milan and scored 173 goals (127 in A). His managers were Alberto Zaccheroni, Mauro Tassotti, Fatih Terim and Carlo Ancelotti for almost five seasons. His teammates included Lazio connections José Antonio Chamot (1994-98), Demetrio Albertini (2003-04), Valerio Fiori (1986-93), Alessandro Nesta (1985-2002), Giuseppe Pancaro (1997-2003), Cristian Brocchi (2008-13), Hernan Crespo (2000-02) and Jaap Stam (2001-04).

 

In 2006 he signed for Chelsea. The manager was José Mourinho and the Blues finished 2nd in the Premier League but won the FA Cup (Manchester United 1-0), the League Cup (Arsenal 2-1) and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League (lost to Liverpool on penalties). Shevchenko played 51 games and scored 14 goals (4 in league). In 2007-08 Mourinho was sacked after six games and replaced by Avraham Grant. Chelsea finished 2nd again in the league and lost three cup finals, Champions League (Manchester United on penalties), League Cup (Tottenham 1-2) and the Charity/Community Shield (Manchester United on penalties). Shevchenko played less and was often left out, he played 25 games and scored 8 goals (5 in league). He was not a great success in London and left.

 

In 2008-09 he spent a season back at Milan on loan. Ancelotti was still the manager but Shevchenko did not return to the levels of his first stint. He played 18 league games with no goals, 1 game in Coppa Italia with 1 goal and 7 games in the Champions League with 1 goal). Milan finished 3rd in Serie A. His teammates included former Lazio captain Beppe Favalli (1992-2004) plus international stars Ronaldinho and David Beckham.

 

In August 2009 he returned to Chelsea but after only one league game, despite the new manager being Ancelotti, he returned to Dynamo Kyiv. Chelsea then won the double, league and FA Cup.

 

Back in Ukraine he played another three seasons. He made another 83 appearances with 30 goals. He won a Ukrainian Super Cup in 2011.

 

He then retired at almost 36.

 

Shevchenko won 111 caps for Ukraine (59 as captain) and scored 48 goals. He took part in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, his country's first historic major tournament and then the 2012 Euros.


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After retiring he started collaborating with Ukrainian national manager Mykhaylo Fomenko in February 2016. He then replaced Fomenko in July 2016. He managed to qualify for the 2020 Euros (played in 2021) reaching the quarter finals but losing 0-4 to England. He then resigned.

 

On November 7 2021 he became Genoa manager replacing Davide Ballardini. He signed a three-year contract but was sacked on January 15 after 1 win, 3 draws and 7 defeats.

 

He is now president of the Ukrainian Football Federation.

 

Shevchenko or "Sheva" as he was nicknamed was a forward. He was extremely fast, mobile, dynamic and technical which made him a superb striker. He possessed a good shot with both feet, he could score with headers and was cool and precise when in front of goal, including freekicks and penalties. He was a prolific goal scorer but could also set up his fellow strikers and used his athleticism to roam from the centre of the attack to the wings and vice-versa. He was also appreciated for his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team, dropping back to cover and tackle. He will above all however be remembered as a fantastic forward. An absolute legend at Milan and obviously in Ukraine.

 

Lazio were one of his favourite victims having scored 13 goals against the Biancocelesti in his years in Milan.


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