Andriy Nikolaevich Shevchenko – Ukrainian football player, head of the Ukrainian Football Association (2024 – present).
Place of Birth, Education
He was born on September 29, 1976 in the village of Dvirkivshchyna, Yagotyn district, Kyiv region.
He received his higher education at the Kyiv Institute of Physical Education and Sports.
Career
Dynamo
Shevchenko is a pupil of the Dynamo football school. In establishing his career, coach Valery Lobanovsky played. In the period from 1992 to 1999, the footballer played for the football club “Dynamo” (Kyiv), and joined the main team in 1994.
Milan
From 1999 to 2006, he represented the Italian club Milan. The transfer amount then amounted to $ 25 million. Already at the end of the first season in Serie A, Shevchenko became the top scorer of the championship, scoring 24 goals in 32 matches. The period of playing in Italy was the pinnacle of his football career.
Chelsea
In 2006 – 2007, Shevchenko played for the Chelsea football club. The striker’s transfer cost Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich about $60 million. However, in Foggy Albion, Shevchenko’s career was not as successful as in Italy. Among the reasons were the differences in the tactics of the English club, the personal circumstances of the player himself and constant conflicts with head coach Jose Mourinho.
Return to Milan and Dynamo
In the 2008-2009 season, Shevchenko again played in Milan. The clubs agreed on a one-year lease for the player with the possibility of further buyout.
In 2009, Shevchenko returned to Dynamo, signing a contract for a period of 2 years.
At the beginning of the 2010/2011 season, Shevchenko became the captain of Dynamo, but at the beginning of 2011, the new head coach Yuriy Simin appointed Oleksandr Shovkovskyi as captain.
On November 12, 2012, the Football Federation of Ukraine offered Shevchenko to lead the national team, but he rejected this offer.
In February 2016, the footballer joined the coaching staff of the national team of Ukraine, which was then headed by Mykhailo Fomenko.
After the national team of Ukraine was defeated at Euro 2016, Fomenko left the post of head coach. On July 15, 2016, the Executive Committee of the Football Federation of Ukraine unanimously supported the appointment of Shevchenko to this position.
On August 1, 2021, Shevchenko announced the completion of his work at the head of the national team.
On November 7, 2021, the footballer signed a three-year contract with the oldest football club in Italy, Genoa, which plays in Serie A. However, on January 15, 2022, he was dismissed from the post of head coach.
Since January 25, 2024, he has been serving as chairman of the Ukrainian Football Association.
Political Activities
On July 27, 2012, he announced the end of his football career and transition to politics. Already on July 28, he joined Natalia Korolevska’s party “Ukraine – Forward”. According to the results of the elections, the party won 1.6% of the vote and did not get into the Verkhovna Rada.
On September 26, 2023, Shevchenko was appointed adviser to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (out of state).
Achievements and awards
Playing for Dynamo, Shevchenko became the champion of Ukraine five times in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, and also won the Ukrainian Cup three times in 1996, 1998 and 1999. In addition, he was recognized as the best football player of Ukraine in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
While playing for Milan, Shevchenko became the champion of Italy in 2004, the top scorer of the Italian championship in 2000 and 2004, and also won the Champions Cup and the European Super Cup in 2003. In 2004, he was recognized as the best footballer in Europe, and in 2006 – the best striker according to UEFA.
In the period of December 31, 2004, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine along with the presentation of the Order of the State. During August 20, 2022, he was awarded the “National Legend of Ukraine” award.
In 2021, he became a Knight of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree.
In the period of July 5, 2012, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the I degree, while on June 4, 2003 he received the Order of Merit of the II degree, and in 1999 – the Order of Merit of the III degree. He is also a holder of the Order “For Courage” III degree. In 2018, he was awarded the rank of Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy.
Marital Status
Shevchenko is married to fashion model Kristen Pazik. The couple is raising four sons:
- Jordan, who was born in 2004;
- Christian, born in 2006;
- Oleksandr, who was born in 2012;
- Ryder-Gabriel, who was born in 2014.
