Milan (AP) – The former Ukrainian soccer star Andrei Shevchenko appealed for peace in a video message before the Milan derby.
“The Ukrainian people only want peace. Peace has no borders. What unites us must be stronger than what divides us,” said the former world-class striker in the clip, which was released on Tuesday evening before the kick-off of the semi-final first leg in the Italian Cup between Inter Milan and AC Milan (0-0) was shown on the screen of the San Siro Stadium. “Let’s end this war together,” he demanded.
Shevchenko, who is now 45, was one of the best strikers in the world around the turn of the millennium. He won the Champions League with Milan in 2003 and was voted Europe’s footballer of the year the following year. He played before the time in Italy and for the last three seasons before retiring at hometown club Dynamo Kyiv. He was also – unsuccessfully – active at Chelsea FC and later coached the Ukrainian national team and most recently CFC Genoa. Shevchenko lives with his family in London.