Skip to content
NUREMBERG, GERMANY – JUNE 03: Andriy Shevchenko, The Ukrainian Football Association looks on prior to the international friendly match between Germany and Ukraine at Max-Morlock-Stadion on June 03, 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Former AC Milan legend and current president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, Andriy Shevchenko, believes Italy will return to the top level of world football despite the disappointment of missing out on another FIFA World Cup qualification.
- Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here
Shevchenko on Italy’s World Cup failure: ‘They will find a way to come back and compete at the highest level’
“I’m sure Italy will adjust, Italy will find a way to come back and compete at the highest level,” Shevchenko said at the Portugal Football Summit Podcast presented by Pedro Pinto.
“I was very sad about that because a country like Italy is a football country, and this is the third time that they didn’t qualify for the World Cup,” Shevchenko said.
The former Ballon d’Or winner revealed that Milan’s former sporting director Ariedo Braida played a decisive role in convincing him to move to Italy in 1999. “He came to visit me to watch one of the games of Dynamo Kyiv. After the game, he brought me a present: an AC Milan shirt. He told me that if I wanted to win the Ballon d’Or, the only chance was to join AC Milan and wear that shirt. That was a clear message for me that I should choose AC Milan.”
The Ukrainian striker would go on to become one of the greatest forwards in Milan history and win the UEFA Champions League. “It was a dream come true,” he said.
“When I was a little kid, I was always dreaming about becoming a professional player and playing for Dynamo Kyiv. I had a chance to win the Champions League with them, but it didn’t come through. Then, finally, when I joined AC Milan, I had such a big chance to win the Champions League. And when that happened, I felt like my dream had come true. I also felt like I had written something important in the book of football.”
Shevchenko also spoke warmly about his friendship with former Milan teammate Rui Costa, now president of Benfica. “I’m very happy that Rui chose to stay involved in football. It was a great pleasure for me to share the pitch with him. Our relationship has continued.”
Now serving as president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, Shevchenko also addressed the ongoing situation in Ukraine. “When I talk to the players, I try to explain that we have to stick together. We have to help each other,” he said.
Shevchenko reserved special praise for the Ukrainian armed forces, acknowledging their sacrifices during the ongoing conflict. “Thank you for your service. It is the reason we are still playing football in Ukraine.”
The Portugal Football Summit is a programme organised by the Portuguese Football Federation that promises to bring together a number of leading figures from the world of football ahead of the second edition of the event, which will take place from 23 to 25 September at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras.
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
