From The Players Tribune:
Andriy Shevchenko, Legendary Striker, Talks About The Future of Ukraine
Andriy Shevchenko has used his platform to continue to help and restore the many things that the country of Ukraine has lost. After traveling back to his hometown and seeing the damage done, Shevchenko has partnered with organizations and has met with officials to restore hope to his country. He recalls his memories and all of the amazing things he loves about Ukraine in his piece “The Spirit of Ukraine” on The Players’ Tribune.
“You may be reading this thinking that you are safe, that this is just some faraway place, that it can’t really touch you. Maybe many people in Ukraine thought the same way just a short time ago. The truth is that the world doesn’t work this way. This can happen again and again if we don’t learn the lessons and stand together.” - Andriy Shevchenko
Although some people are returning to Ukraine and the football season has even started back up, the country is still fighting for a normal life. Shevchenko relives traveling back to the city and the silence surrounding it. The country has become his priority and he believes sport has the power to change the world.
“I am still an optimist. I can see a light in the darkness. I see progress. I see a future for my country. I see it very clearly.
This war has changed us, but I know it has not changed what we value the most.
This is our land, our freedom and our future.” - Andriy ShevchenkoShe