Fighting remains a daily occurrence in Ukraine with millions of people not able to return to normality getting fled the country.
Because the start of the invasion upon February 24, Shevchenko has been using their platform to raise recognition and money with regard to his beloved homeland.
Like many, the former Ukraine captain and national team supervisor has been deeply impacted by the war and says it got weeks for him to come to terms with what was taking place back home.
“Personally, it is extremely hard for me. We still feel frustrated about what happened, inch he tells CNN Sport .
“I sometimes asked the same question and could not find the answer, but now we only have a single direction. We need to earn this war and begin to rebuild the nation. ”
Shevchenko plus tennis star Elina Svitolina have got since been called ambassadors of UNITED24 , an organization set up simply by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the aim of directing donations to the war effort.
The particular initiative has up to now collected over $166M and there are other projects in the works in order to raise even more.
“The message is very crystal clear. Since the war started, Ukraine needs a large amount of help, ” Shevchenko, who won the particular Ballon D’Or in 2004, says, including that he’s within communication with Zelensky.
“I’m here, included in the UNITED24 platform, to create awareness and talk about the war to attempt to find the funds to get humanitarian and medical aid, because this is exactly what, at this moment, Ukraine needs.
“We need some support […] to keep going for our future, our own independence, and our democratic way. inch
‘We need your help’
Shevchenko, who played for a number of high-profile European sides such as AIR CONDITIONERS Milan and Chelsea, recently visited Belgium to meet Ukrainian children who had fled the war and who are now facing an uncertain upcoming as refugees.
Whilst there, he spoke highly of rugby player Iga Swiatek and Polish football star Robert Lewandwoski for carrying out their bit within raising money plus awareness of the battle.
Last month, Swiatek organized and starred in a charity complement which looked to benefit Ukrainians needing support.
“This is very important because, at the moment, athletes are icons for that younger generation, ” Shevchenko adds.
“For individuals to take a position against the war is very important, to deliver the message around the world to be against the battle and to support peacefulness in Ukraine. inch
The Russian attack of Ukraine has been covered extensively by the global media in the early stages but Shevchenko says it’s “normal” for the news routine to move on.
However , he says it’s important that individuals are made aware of just how dangerous it is for all those still living in Ukraine amid daily bombing.
Just recently, Ukrainian officials offender Russian forces associated with launching rockets in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, raising concerns of an accident.
The particular UN watchdog offers warned that fighting at the occupied complex risks a “nuclear disaster. ”
“We do not have to forget what’s going on within Ukraine. Russians keep bombing and the war has never stopped, ” Shevchenko says.
“Ukrainian individuals, for us, we need incredible support from the entire world. Please don’t forget about us. We need your help. ”
Strength of sport
Shevchenko says he has observed just how powerful sport can be in growing awareness and raising morale in the country because the war started.
Within June, he watched the Ukrainian national team beat Scotland in its initial competitive match since the invasion and, regardless of his country faltering to make the World Glass in Qatar after losing to Wales, Shevchenko says the particular team gave their own compatriots hope.
“Sport has an incredible power to bring together people, ” he admits that. “It was amazing to sit in the crowd of Scottish people and have amazing support for Ukraine.
“I felt like we were playing at home because the people united round the terrible war in Ukraine and needed Ukraine to do properly.
“I think the players did so well and tried very hard but it is sport, and in sport, there is only one winner. ”
There are now programs for the Ukrainian Premier League to return later on this month right after fixtures were suspended when fighting broke out.
The country’s sports minister, Vadym Guttsait, said matches would be played behind closed doors and stadiums equipped with safety measures.
“It’s essential for the people, throughout the world — we can send the message that Ukraine will there be, ” Shevchenko states about the prospect of domestic football returning.
“Even if we’re on war inside the country, we are going to fight due to the fact we want to also reside like normal nations, normal lives. inch