Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski to put on Ukrainian armband at World Cup

September 21, 2022 Muricas News 0 Comments

Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski to put on Ukrainian armband at World Cup [ad_1]

Throughout an occasion on the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on Tuesday, the 2 famed strikers embraced as Shevchenko fixed the blue and yellow armband to Lewandowski's arm.

"I am very proud as a result of I do know what it means to assist Ukraine's individuals," Lewandowski stated.

"I do know what it means to battle for freedom, we all know the historical past, our historical past and that is why it was clear to assist our neighbors, to assist the individuals from Ukraine and I am very proud to put on this armband and to be on this facet. I am very glad and really grateful for all the things."

As neighboring international locations, there are sturdy ties and a shared historical past between Ukraine and Poland, which has accepted greater than 1,000,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion since February, in keeping with the UNHCR.

Lewandowski has lengthy been amongst Ukraine's supporters, calling for Poland to boycott its World Cup qualifying match towards Russia simply days after the conflict started.

When he performed for Bayern Munich, the Polish captain wore a Ukrainian armband whereas his teammates wore black armbands to commemorate these killed within the conflict.

"To begin with, I need to thank Robert for all the things he is been doing for my nation," Shevchenko stated. "And I give this armband to him: this armband represents satisfaction, energy, some attachment to Ukraine."

Shevchenko (L) won the Ballon d'Or in 2004.

Soccer has assumed added significance in Ukraine in latest months.

The Ukrainian Premier League restarted final month for the primary time since Russia's invasion in February below the shadow of air raid sirens -- one match held in Lviv was halted 4 instances permitting gamers to shelter in a bunker -- whereas the Ukrainian nationwide staff was thanked by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for "two hours of happiness" after defeating Scotland to succeed in the playoff last of World Cup qualifying.

"I believe to be athletes, we've got a really sturdy voice to inform the reality to the individuals, to maintain consciousness about what is going on on in Ukraine and inform the reality about (it)," Shevchenko added.

'Please don't forget about us,' says Ukrainian soccer legend Andriy Shevchenko about ongoing war effort
Alongside tennis star Elina Svitolina, Shevchenko has acted as an envoy of UNITED24, a corporation arrange by Zelensky to direct nearly $186 million of donations to the conflict effort.

"I do know that after I put on for the primary time this armband," Lewandowski stated, "if some individuals heard about what I did, for me, it should even be a tremendous feeling, superb time as a result of I do know that sport -- additionally individuals watch, for instance, soccer and completely different sport as effectively -- and in the event that they know what's going on, it will be simpler to know the scenario."

Lewandowski will subsequent take to the sphere with Poland on Thursday evening in a Nations League match towards The Netherlands.


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