Andriy Shevchenko (Ukrainian: Андрій Шевченко, Андрій Миколайович
Шевченко, Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko, nicknamed "Sheva", born
September 29, 1976 in the village of Dvirkivschyna, of Kiev Oblast
(province) in Ukraine, is a Ukrainian football player who is a striker
for Chelsea and the Ukrainian national team. Shevchenko started off
his career with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, with whom he won five league
titles and two national cups in five seasons between 1994 and 1999. He
has won one Serie A title, one UEFA Champions League, one European Super
Cup, one Italian Cup and one Italian League Super Cup with Milan till
now. He was named the European Footballer of the Year in 2004.
Shevchenko has represented Ukraine in 63 matches and scored 28
international goals. Andriy was nine when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
occurred in April 1986. His village, not far from Chernobyl, was also
affected by the disaster, and his family was one amongst the thousands
who had to abandon their homes and relocate to the coast to escape the
after-effects. Later the same year, Andriy failed a dribbling test for
entrance to a specialist sports school in Kyiv. But he happened to catch
the sight of a Dynamo Kyiv scout while playing in a youth tournament,
and was thus brought to the club. He was extremely successful in the
youth system at the club, honing his skills in their junior teams. In
1990, Andriy, playing for the Dynamo Kyiv Under-14 team in the Ian Rush
Cup in Wales, top scored in the tournament, and was awarded a pair of
Rush's boots as prize by the Liverpool player himself. In 1993-94,
Andriy top-scored for Dynamo-2 with twelve goals, and made an appearance
in the first team list for Dynamo Kyiv for next season. Andriy's debut
in the league for Dynamo came under manager Yozef Szabo on 28 October
1994, in Donetsk, Dynamo defeating the home team Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1.
He scored his first league goal in the 4-2 home win against Dnipro on
December 1, 1994. Though that was the only goal that Shevchenko scored
in the league that season, he scored another in two matches played in
the UEFA Champions League, and also earned his national team call-up.
His first cap for Ukraine was earned at the age of 19 years and 177 days,
in a 0-4 loss to Croatia on 25 March, 1995 at Zagreb. Shevchenko's
exceptional ability to convert scoring chances into goals was fully
displayed next season, when he scored 16 goals in just 31 matches,
taking Dynamo to their second successive league victory. He also scored
his first international goal in May 1996, in a friendly against Turkey,
at Samsun. Shevchenko won the league again next season with Dynamo,
scoring 6 goals in 20 games. The next two seasons, 1997-98 and 1998-99,
were abundantly productive for Shevchenko. The highlight of his 1997-98
season was his first-half hat-trick against FC Barcelona in the
Champions League, helping Dynamo produce a shock 4-0 away win over the
highly decorated Spanish side. His 19 goals in 23 league matches, 6
goals in 10 Champions League matches, and another league victory with
Dynamo in 1997-98 was followed by 28 goals in all competitions in
1998-99, and the league top-scorer award for his 18 goals there. His
exploits in the Champions League took Dynamo to the semifinal stage of
the tournament, before they lost to Bayern Munich 3-4 on aggregate.
Shevchenko won the domestic league with Dynamo each of the five seasons
he was with the club. Under the guidance of Valeri Lobanovsky, the
manager of Dynamo from January 1997 to May 2002 (his third spell in the
post), he flourished into one of the team's most prominent and skillful
players. In 1999 Shevchenko joined the then 5-time European Cup
champions A.C. Milan for $26 million and has been one of their key
players since. Shevchenko made his Serie A debut on August 28, 1999 in a
2-2 draw with Lecce. The season turned out to be extremely fruitful
personally, Shevchenko's haul of 24 league goals in 32 matches earned
him the highest scorer title in the Serie A, Andriy becoming, in the
process, the first non-Italian player to do so in his debut season. In
March 2000, Lobanovsky was made the Ukrainian national team manager,
with the aim to take Ukraine to the 2002 World Cup. Shevchenko scored 10
goals in the qualifiers, but Ukraine failed to qualify after losing the
playoff against Germany, and Lobanovsky was sacked. The next two seasons
Shevchenko scored 34 goals in 51 matches, and 17 goals 38 matches
respectively, in all competitions, but Milan could not win any
silverware either season. The disappointment of the past two seasons was
overcome in 2002-03 as Milan won the Champions League as well as the
Italian Cup. Though Shevchenko was not in top goal-scoring form in the
league, netting only five times in 24 matches, he scored the winning
penalty in the Champions League final against arch-rivals Juventus,
giving Milan the title. Shevchenko is the first Ukrainian ever to win
the Champions League. 2003-04 was another successful season for both
Milan and Shevchenko. He top scored in the league for the second time in
his career, scoring 24 goals in 32 matches and taking Milan to the
league title after a gap of four years. He also scored the winning goal
in the UEFA Super Cup against FC Porto, Milan winning the match 1-0, and
their second trophy of the season. In December of 2004 Shevchenko was
named the European Footballer of the Year. He was also named by Pelé as
one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. Also in
2004, Shevchenko was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine by former
Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. In August 2004, Andriy scored three
goals against Lazio in the Italian Super Cup and earned Milan the title.
In the same season of 2004-05, the club finished second in league
standings, helped by the seventeen goals of Shevchenko. They also
reached the final of the Champions League, with him scoring six goals in
ten matches. But the successes of the season were greatly dampened in
the final. The game against Liverpool ended 3-3 after extra-time, and
went into penalties. Shevchenko missed his spot-kick, giving the English
side the title. In October 2005, Ukraine finally managed to qualify for
the finals of a World Cup when they topped their qualification group for
the 2006 World Cup, winning seven games out of twelve, and losing only
one. Shevchenko was instrumental in this inspired performance by the
team, scoring six goals out of the total eighteen by Ukraine. During the
summer of 2004 there were reports that Roman Abramovich, the owner of
Chelsea, offered a record sum of £50 million and striker Hernán Crespo
to A.C. Milan in exchange for Andriy. Milan refused but took Crespo on
loan. After that, the determined Abramovich was rumoured to offer
another record sum of £85 million to AC Milan and another record weekly
wage of £225,000 to transfer him to Chelsea, but was again refused. In
the 2005-06 season, Shevchenko has scored nineteen goals in the
twenty-eight games that he has played in the league and nine goals in
twelve Champions League matches. On November 23, 2005, in the Champions
League group stage match against Fenerbahçe, Shevchenko scored four
times, becoming only the fifth man after Marco van Basten, Simone
Inzaghi, Dado Pršo and Ruud van Nistelrooy to do so in one match in the
competition. Shevchenko also led the Ukrainian national team to its
first qualification for the World Cup, to take place in June 2006.Andriy
married American model Kristen Pazik in July 2004 with a private
ceremony on a golf-field in Washington. The couple had a son, Jordan, on
November 29 of that year, which he celebrated by scoring in the game
against Sampdoria the following day (AC Milan won 2-1). He looks up to
the UEFA Cup Winners Cup winning Dynamo Kyiv team of 1986, and also
admires former football players Pele, Zico, Platini and Romário. He is a
close friend of Giorgio Armani and Sheva once walked the catwalk wearing
a suit and for the italian stylist. During an after-fashion show-party
the Ukrainian footballer met his current wife. Sheva and Giorgio opened
an Armani Store together in Kiev.
[05/15] Chelsea Confirm Sheva Desire
Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko has moved a step closer to joining Chelsea
after the London club admitted they are ready to pounce.
Shevchenko revealed on Friday evening that he was entertaining the idea
of leaving the San Siro, citing family reasons for his possible
departure.
Although the Ukrainian admitted that no decision over his future had
been made, the Premiership champions are preparing an offer.
“We have shown our interest in Shevchenko over the last two seasons and
had dialogue with Milan,” confirmed chief executive Peter Kenyon.
“Shevchenko is the type of player we would like.
“At the end of the day to improve what we have got, it has to be a great
player and Shevchenko certainly comes into that class.
“You stand a chance [of signing him] but there is a long way to go in
the summer. It has got to be 50-50, but I would not say that it is any
more than that.”
Boss Jose Mourinho has also given the probable swoop his blessing, even
if he is insisting that the deal is far from done.
“I think the natural thing is that you have a big striker to join us and
to make this group stronger,” said the Portuguese tactician.
“I cannot say it is Shevchenko though. He is a player that belongs to
Milan and Milan have a three or four-year contract with him.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea will announce the capture of one-time Inter target
Michael Ballack at a media conference today.
The German international has arrived from Bayern Munich on a free
transfer.
After a meeting, today 26 may 2006, with Galliani, dirigent of Ac Milan,
Shevchenko has annonced that he will leave the italian team.
Shevchenko transfer completed
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Andriy Shevchenko has signed from
AC Milan for a club record fee.
Shevchenko completed a medical and agreed personal terms at Stamford
Bridge today (Wednesday). He has signed a four year contract.
The former European Footballer of the Year said: “I am here for the
challenge and the excitement of playing in the Premier League. I am
going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions.
“There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have
arrived here at the perfect time. The Champions League has to be a
realistic target for next season but it is not just about the Champions
League. Chelsea is going for their third Premiership as well and I like
the club's mentality of wanting to win every game they play.
“I have followed Mr. Mourinho's career carefully for the last few years
and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages. He puts team
ethic before individual expression which is the way I believe great
teams are created. Had money been my motivation for coming, I would
probably have stayed in Milan.
“I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before the
World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to be a
Chelsea player.”
Chelsea manager and first team coach, José Mourinho, said: “Today is a
day when the dream became reality. Andriy has always been my first
choice for Chelsea since I arrived. Before it was not possible, now it
is for real. He has great qualities, ambition, discipline, tactical
awareness and of course he is a great goalscorer.
“I did not need to meet with him to convince him about Chelsea, in the
same way we did not need to talk a lot about why I wanted him. Everybody
knows him as a player, tactically he can play in the Chelsea system no
doubt.
“Milan is a big club, a great club, but for him to leave Milan for
Chelsea is a big statement about where Chelsea is. He is a champion and
he is joining a team of champions. I have already spoken to some of our
players and they are looking forward to playing with him. Great players
want to play with other great players.”
Chief Executive Peter Kenyon added: “This is another proud day for
Chelsea. The signing of Andriy, following on from Michael Ballack and
Solomon Kalou shows the ambition of Chelsea. The deal is a new club
transfer record and is a straight cash deal. We are delighted to have
signed one of Europe's greatest goalscorers.
“Andriy has an unparalleled record in the Champions League,
international matches and Serie A.”
Chelsea will formally present Shevchenko at a media conference after the
World Cup.
Career Season Team Championship Presences Goals
1994-95 Dinamo Kiev A 16 1
1995-96 Dinamo Kiev A 31 16
1996-97 Dinamo Kiev A 20 6
1997-98 Dinamo Kiev A 23 19
1998-99 Dinamo Kiev A 28 18
1999-00 Milan A 32 24
2000-01 Milan A 34 24
2001-02 Milan A 29 14
2002-03 Milan A 24 5
2003-04 Milan A 32 24
2004-05 Milan A 29 17
2005-06 Milan A
28 19
Awards and honours 1995
Ukrainian league title
Best Newcomer of the season ( "Comanda"*** newspaper )
1996
Ukrainian league title
Ukrainian Cup winner
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine"** newspaper)
1997
Ukrainian league title
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Ukrainian Football"* newspaper)
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Comanda")
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
1998
Ukrainian league title
Ukrainian Cup winner
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
1999
Ukrainian league title
Ukrainian Cup winner
Ukrainian league top scorer
UEFA Champions League Best Striker
UEFA Champions League top scorer
Third-best FIFA World Player
Ukraine Sportsman of the Year (as part of the "Man of the Year" award)
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Ukrainian Football")
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
Goal of the Season Award ("UTN Football" national television poll)
2000
Italian Serie A top scorer
Best foreign player in Serie A (AIC poll, Italian professional
footballers association)
Third-best European Footballer of the Year as voted by France Football
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Ukrainian Football")
2001
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Ukrainian Football")
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
Eastern European Footballer of the Year (Focus Vest magazine, Romania)
2002
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
2003
Champions League winner
Italian Cup winner
UEFA Super Cup winner
Fourth-best FIFA World Player
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
2004
Italian Serie A League title
Italian League top scorer
Italian Super Cup
Third-best FIFA World Player
Pallone D’Oro (Golden Ball) – European Footballer of the Year as voted
by France Weekly
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Ukrainian Football")
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year ("Golos Ukraine")
Star of Sport award ("Sport Express"****)
2005
UEFA Champions League finalist
"Golden Foot" winner (online poll held by "World Champions Club"
magazine and "La Gazzetta dello Sport" newspaper)
* poll held by journalists, experts
** poll held by sport journalists
*** poll held by Ukrainian professional footballers
**** poll held by sports journalists from the former USSR states.
Awards made by the State
Hero of Ukraine
On December 31, 2004 Andriy Shevchenko received the ‘Hero of Ukrainian’
award from President Leonid Kuchma, for ‘his extraordinary contribution
to the development of Ukrainian football’.
Honour of Merit by decree of the President of Ukraine, October 15, 1999
Curiosity
He likes pool, tennis, cars (his father is a car-engineer).
His idols: all DK-86, Pele, Zico, Platini, Romario.
His (favorite) singer: Freddie Mercury and Laima Vaikule.
His actor: Alexander Abdulov and Julia Roberts.
His movie: "The goalkeeper"
His drink: orange and pineapple juice
His food: barbacued chicken
He is unmarried and tired of women calling his home, DK training camp,
etc "Don't make an idol of me. I haven't achieved anything yet."
