Andriy Shevchenko is widely regarded as the greatest Ukrainian player of all time. A prolific striker who enjoyed success with Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea, he cemented his legacy at AC Milan, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and the Ballon d’Or in 2004. The legendary forward made it clear who he thinks deserves the title of the greatest player in soccer history.
In a 2022 interview with Sky Sports, Shevchenko ended the debate. While expressing admiration for Pelé and Diego Maradona, he acknowledged Lionel Messi’s unparalleled achievements over the last two decades.
“Is Messi the best in history? For me, yes. It’s a different era than Pelé and Maradona, but Messi is all of that… Messi is the symbol of Argentina. He’s a legend, one of the best of all time. We compare him with Maradona and Pelé. A player like him deserves to win the World Cup,” Shevchenko reflected ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
“It’s hard to find a player who dribbles and scores like Messi,” the Ukrainian continued. “He’s the perfect prototype of the 21st-century forward. You can’t even tie him to one position. He’s everywhere, making defenders look clumsy”.
Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy after winning Qatar 2022. (IMAGO / Newscom World)
Shevchenko’s stellar career in numbers
Shevchenko netted 48 goals in 111 matches for the Ukrainian national team and added another 721 goals in his club career. Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, and Chelsea enjoyed the services of one of the finest strikers of his era. With 354 goals, 126 assists, and 18 trophies — including the 2003 Champions League title — his career between 1993 and 2009 remains iconic.
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LaLiga wants Messi back
As speculation over Lionel Messi’s future continues, LaLiga president Javier Tebas has openly expressed his desire to see the Argentine return to Barcelona.
“I believe Messi wants to return to Barcelona. He spent many years there, and I’m sure Messi will return. Maybe as a player, but I also see him coming back in another role. Messi and Barcelona go hand in hand. His brand and Barcelona’s brand are, in many ways, one and the same. He loves the club,” Tebas said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit.
