NUREMBERG, GERMANY – JUNE 3: Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko watches before the international friendly match between Germany and Ukraine at Max Molok Stadium on June 3, 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hasenstein/Getty Images)
Andriy Shevchenko says peace in Ukraine is his biggest wish for his 50th birthday, explains why he took home the Ballon d’Or trophy from a Milan museum and urges Italy supporters to remain calm when it comes to the national team: “You just have to change things and start over and you have the right people to do it.”
Shevchenko turns 50 this week and ahead of the milestone, he sat down with Gazzetta dello Sport for an in-depth interview to talk all things Ukraine, Milan and Italy.
Shevchenko won the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League with Milan, then coached the national team for five years and has served as the president of the Ukrainian Football Association since January 2024.
Shevchenko on peace in Ukraine, memories of Milan and Italian proposals
Shevchenko is widely regarded as Ukraine’s greatest ever footballer but insists he no longer considers himself a “hero” for his homeland.
“No, we have different ‘symbols’ now. Now is the time for real heroes, who defend the country as part of the resistance,” Shevchenko told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’ve seen their courage over the last five years. We can’t compare to the job we’ve done. We have to try to give them relief and make them smile because they watch the game and I know if they perform well they’ll be happy.”
Looking back on his career, Shevchenko looked back on some of his most important memories.
“I still remember clearly the day I was called up to play for Dynamo Kyiv’s youth team. And also when I played my first Champions League game against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern. Then came the move to Milan and we had a great season and we won the Champions League.
“There were other special moments like Ukraine qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, playing against Chelsea and winning the FA Cup. Hosting the European Cup in Ukraine. And the Ballon d’Or, the third Ukrainian to win it, which is a lot of pride.”
Shevchenko was asked if he keeps the Ballon d’Or trophy on the mantelpiece in his living room.
He said: “I got it back now, it was in a museum in Milan for a long time, and then I took it to Ukraine. Together with Blochin and Belanov we organized a tour called ‘The Fourth Could Be Yours’. It was a way to inspire the younger generation in these difficult times, to show our pride in the past and to know that the future is right in front of us.”
Back in May, Shevchenko and the Ukrainian Football Association appointed an Italian as national team coach: Andrea Maldera, who served as Shevchenko’s assistant coach with the Ukrainian national team for five years before working with Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Marseille.
“Andrea is my employee and he knows the place well,” Shevchenko said. “He also worked abroad with De Zerby, but he always followed the situation in Ukraine.”
So, what does a day in the life of 50-year-old Andrea Shevchenko look like?
“It’s been like this for three years,” he said. “When I wake up I always take a dip in a cold tub or swim in the sea – the temperature has to be four or five degrees. After that, I do a 45-minute workout. I do my daily work and then go to the office or log in for a video call.
“If I’m in Ukraine, I play padel. If I’m in England, I play golf. In terms of exercise, I’m never lacking. I go to bed around 11.30 and get up around 7.15. I don’t eat much meat, maybe once or twice a week. I eat more salads, fish, a little less pasta, but sometimes still because the Italian habits are always with me.
“My weight has been 84 or 85 kilograms since I was 30 years old. I try to read a little more, in different languages. You may notice that I have lost a lot of Italian. I want to stay connected with the world. As soon as I wake up, I read the news from Ukraine. I also continue to spend time with my family, which is the most important.”
What is the most important thing in Shevchenko’s life?
“If I’m talking about the person, it’s my family and my charity work. If we’re talking about the players, it’s the clubs and national teams I’ve played for. I’m connected to Dynamo Kyiv for many reasons, Milan were my best years, but I also had a lot of good feelings at Chelsea. And Ukraine.”
How does Shevchenko view the current situation in Milan?
“Milan will always be in my heart and I will always be a Milan fan,” he said. “Italy has always been in my heart, it’s my second home. I’m not saying this to please anyone, it’s the truth.”
What about the Italian national team?
“I’m not going to complain too much. You’re going to get through this,” he advised. “Appreciate your history and realize there’s a lot of talent out there, you just have to change a few things and start over. You also have the right people to do it.”
If Shevchenko had one birthday wish, it would be: “Peace.”
He added: “I hope people in my country can live a peaceful life as soon as possible. In football, my challenge is to do everything for future generations. My other challenge is to be there for my family and be a good father.”