He is revered in Milan and is worshipped in Kiev. The baby faced assassin, a defender’s nightmare. If this is still not enough to guess who he is, well let me do the honors. We present, Andriy Shevchenko.
Sheva, as he is popularly known, was one of the best strikers in Europe from 2000-2006, where he at times carried the Rossoneris on his shoulders. The Ukrainian burst onto the scene as a gangly 18 year old from Dynamo Kiev’s youth set up. He played there for five years where he scored 60 goals from 117 apps. He won the league title in all his years in Kiev.
This scintillating display led him to a mega money move to Milan in 1999. He adjusted pretty quickly to life in Italy as he won Serie A in his debut season. He scored 24 goals in his debut season. He carried on his sublime form next season. He won UEFA Champions League with Milan in 2003 thus he completed his trophy case with this silverware.
The former Ukraine international after having successful stint in Milan, he made a switch to Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea. He was Roman’s favourite footballer and Chelsea broke British transfer record for his services in 2006 as he completed his move to Stamford Bridge.
The move was a complete disaster as he struggled to adapt to Jose Mourinho’s style. Along with this, the presence of Didier Drogba did him no favours as well. Although he had a decent outing on field whenever given a chance but he was never The Special One’s top choice. He had three torrid seasons in London where he scored a paltry 9 goals in 48 apps.
Shevchenko was never the same striker post his spell with the Pensioners. He made a return to his boyhood club Dynamo Kiev but he was never their main man.
Sheva in nutshell –
Honours
Club
Dynamo Kyiv
Ukrainian Premier League: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Ukrainian Cup: 1996, 1998, 1999
Ukrainian Super Cup: 2011
CIS Cup: 1996, 1997, 1998
AC Milan
Serie A: 2003–04
Coppa Italia: 2003
Supercoppa Italiana: 2004
UEFA Champions League: 2003
UEFA Super Cup: 2003
Chelsea
FA Cup: 2007
Football League Cup: 2007
Community Shield: 2009
Individual
Ukrainian Footballer of the Year: (6) 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005
Ukrainian Sports 1999.[59]
Commonwealth of Independent States Cup Top Scorer: 1997
Commonwealth of Independent States 1997 Team of the competition[60]
Ukrainian Premier League Top Scorer: 1998-99
Ukrainian Premier League Player of the Year: 1997
Ukrainian Cup Top Scorer (2): 1994-95, 1997-98
ESM Team of the Year: (3) 1999-00, 2003-04, 2004-05
UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: (2) 1998–99, 2005–06
UEFA Champions League Best Forward: 1998-99
UEFA Team of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005
UEFA Super Cup Man of the Match (1): 2003
Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year: 2000
Serie A Goal of the Year 2004 (Roma-Milan 2004).[61]
Serie A Top Scorer: (2) 1999–00, 2003–04
Supercoppa Italiana all time top Scorer
Best Player of Eastern Europe – Focus Vest magazine Trophy: 2001
Baltic and Commonwealth of Independent States Footballer of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005
Ballon d'Or: 2004
Ballon d'Or: Third Place 1999, 2000.
2004 FIFA World Player of the Year Third
Golden Foot award : 2005
FIFPro World XI: 2005
Ukraine all-time Top Scorer with 48 goals.
Derby della Madonnina all-time top scorer with 14 goals.
All time Milan's Top goal scorer in Champions League with 33 goals.
All time FIFA World Cup qualification European Top Scorer.[62] with 26 goals.
FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 Top Scorer European with 10 goals.
FIFA 100
The World Team of the Decade by Mirror Football: 2009[63]
A.C. Milan Hall Of Fame.[64]
UEFA awards 100 caps.[65]
Pallone d'Argento 2003-04.
L'Équipe Team of the Year: (2) 2004, 2005.[66][67]
Top scorer in the history of football Ukrainian with 374 goals.
Dynamo Kiev Top goalscorer (4) .
A.C Milan Top goalscorer (2).
World Soccer's 100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century
Ballon d'Or
1998 – nominated (top 50)
1999 – 3rd
2000 – 3rd
2001 – 8th
2003 – 4th
2004 – 1st
2005 – 6th
2006 – nominated (top 50)
FIFA World Player of the Year
1999 – 3rd
2000 – 5th
2001 – 9th
2003 – 10th
2004 – 3rd
2005 – 6th
2006 – 21st
World Soccer Award
1999 – 3rd[59]
2000 – 3rd[59]
2001 – 8th[59]
2003 – 8th[59]
2004 – 3rd[59]
Decade – 13th[59]
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