Andriy Shevchenko scored over 170 goals for AC Milan in his 7 years at the Serie A club, winning a league title and the 2003 Champions League
By Kehinde Okeowo
Chelsea and AC Milan legend, Andriy Shevchenko has opened up that his mum, sister, and other family members are still in Ukraine, he however added, they remained out of their own volition.
The 45-year-old former striker also pleaded with the Italian government to come to the aid of his country, Ukraine, in an emotional interview broadcast Sunday night on one of the country’s biggest current affairs TV programmes.
Speaking to ‘Che Tempo Che Fa’ on Italian public broadcaster RAI, Shevchenko was close to tears as he narrated the plight of his family near Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv.
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He said he gets daily briefing of what is transpiring in the country since his mum, sister, and other family members are still there.
“My mum, my sister and other relatives of mine are still in Ukraine, I speak to them every day. It was their choice to stay,” he said.
“I can’t look at what’s happening to my country without crying. They tell me the truth of what’s happening in Ukraine, bombed cities, children, and old people killed.
The former Ukrainian international also urged the world and international community to convince Russia to cease fire.
“We need to try and convince Russia to cease fire, find a diplomatic solution and stop this war,” he added.
According to AFP, Shevchenko was on the programme to promote a fund-raising initiative led by the Italian Red Cross as part of the body’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
While on the show, he said Italians made him feel at home when he arrived in the country before soliciting their assistance for his people.
“When I arrived in Italy, the country opened its heart to me. You made me feel like one of you, and I feel like it’s my second home,” he continued.
“Now I ask you: open your hearts to my people, we need your help… make them feel like you made me feel.”
Andriy Shevchenko scored over 170 goals for AC Milan in his 7 years at the Serie A club, winning a league title and the 2003 Champions League in the process.
Meanwhile, Man Citys’ Ukrainian defender, Oleksandr Zinchenko who was an unused substitute in the demolition of Man United on Sunday, was given the captain’s armband in their FA Cup match against Peterborough as a mark of solidarity.
