Former legend and present president of the Ukrainian Soccer Federation, Andriy Shevchenko, believes Italy will return to the highest stage of world soccer regardless of the frustration of lacking out on one other qualification.
Shevchenko on Italy’s World Cup failure: ‘They are going to discover a approach to come again and compete on the highest stage’
“I’m positive Italy will regulate, Italy will discover a approach to come again and compete on the highest stage,” Shevchenko stated on the Soccer Summit Podcast introduced by Pedro Pinto.
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“I used to be very unhappy about that as a result of a rustic like Italy is a soccer nation, and that is the third time that they didn’t qualify for the World Cup,” Shevchenko stated.
The previous Ballon d’Or winner revealed that Milan’s former sporting director Ariedo Braida performed a decisive function in convincing him to maneuver to Italy in 1999. “He came around me to observe one of many video games of Dynamo Kyiv. After the sport, he introduced me a gift: an AC Milan shirt. He advised me that if I needed to win the Ballon d’Or, the one likelihood was to hitch AC Milan and put on that shirt. That was a transparent message for me that I ought to select AC Milan.”
The Ukrainian striker would go on to turn out to be one of many best forwards in Milan historical past and win the UEFA Champions League. “It was a dream come true,” he stated.
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“Once I was a little bit child, I used to be at all times dreaming about turning into knowledgeable participant and enjoying for Dynamo Kyiv. I had an opportunity to win the Champions League with them, but it surely didn’t come by. Then, lastly, once I joined AC Milan, I had such a giant likelihood to win the Champions League. And when that occurred, I felt like my dream had come true. I additionally felt like I had written one thing necessary within the ebook of soccer.”
Shevchenko additionally spoke warmly about his friendship with former Milan teammate Rui Costa, now president of Benfica. “I’m very blissful that Rui selected to remain concerned in soccer. It was an awesome pleasure for me to share the pitch with him. Our relationship has continued.”
Now serving as president of the Ukrainian Affiliation of Soccer, Shevchenko additionally addressed the continuing scenario in Ukraine. “Once I speak to the gamers, I attempt to clarify that we’ve got to stay collectively. We have now to assist one another,” he stated.
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Shevchenko reserved particular reward for the Ukrainian armed forces, acknowledging their sacrifices in the course of the ongoing battle. “Thanks on your service. It’s the cause we’re nonetheless enjoying soccer in Ukraine.”
The Portugal Soccer Summit is a programme organised by the Portuguese Soccer Federation that guarantees to deliver collectively various main figures from the world of soccer forward of the second version of the occasion, which is able to happen from 23 to 25 September at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras.