'Please remember about us,' says Ukrainian soccer legend Andriy Shevchenko about ongoing struggle effort

"I generally requested the identical query and could not discover the reply, however now we solely have one route. We have to win this struggle and begin to rebuild the nation."

The initiative has to date collected over $166M and there are different tasks within the works to be able to increase much more.

"The message may be very clear. For the reason that struggle began, Ukraine wants plenty of assist," Shevchenko, who received the Ballon D'Or in 2004, says, including that he is in communication with Zelensky.

"I am right here, as a part of the UNITED24 platform, to deliver consciousness and speak in regards to the struggle to attempt to discover the funds for humanitarian and medical support, as a result of that is what, at this second, Ukraine wants.

"We'd like some assist [...] to maintain going for our future, our independence, and our democratic manner."

'We'd like your assist'

Shevchenko, who performed for plenty of high-profile European sides resembling AC Milan and Chelsea, not too long ago visited Poland to fulfill Ukrainian kids who had fled the struggle and who at the moment are dealing with an unsure future as refugees.

Final month, Swiatek organized and starred in a charity match which appeared to profit Ukrainians needing assist.

"This is essential as a result of, for the time being, athletes are icons for the youthful technology," Shevchenko provides.

"For individuals to take a place towards the struggle is essential, to ship the message the world over to be towards the struggle and to assist peace in Ukraine. "

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was lined extensively by the worldwide media within the early levels however Shevchenko says it is "regular" for the information cycle to maneuver on.

Nonetheless, he says it is essential that individuals are made conscious of simply how harmful it's for these nonetheless residing in Ukraine amid day by day bombing.

Only recently, Ukrainian officers accused Russian forces of launching rockets on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant, elevating fears of an accident.

The UN watchdog has warned that combating on the occupied advanced dangers a "nuclear catastrophe."

"We do not have to neglect what is going on on in Ukraine. Russians maintain bombing and the struggle has by no means stopped," Shevchenko says.

"Ukrainian individuals, for us, we'd like unbelievable assist from the world. Please remember about us. We'd like your assist."

Energy of sport

Shevchenko says he has seen simply how highly effective sport might be in spreading consciousness and elevating morale within the nation for the reason that struggle began.

"Sport has an unbelievable energy to unite individuals," he says. "It was unbelievable to take a seat within the crowd of Scottish individuals and have unbelievable assist for Ukraine.

"I felt like we have been enjoying at residence as a result of the individuals united across the horrible struggle in Ukraine and needed Ukraine to do nicely.

"I feel the gamers did so nicely and tried very exhausting however it's sport, and in sport, there is just one winner."

There at the moment are plans for the Ukrainian Premier League to return later this month after fixtures have been suspended when combating broke out.

The nation's sports activities minister, Vadym Guttsait, mentioned matches could be performed behind closed doorways and stadiums geared up with security measures.

"It is essential for the individuals, for the remainder of the world -- we are able to ship the message that Ukraine is there," Shevchenko says in regards to the prospect of home soccer returning.

"Even when we're at struggle contained in the nation, we're going to combat as a result of we wish to additionally stay like regular nations, regular lives."