At the "Hall of Fame of Italian Football" event in Coverciano, former Milan player and striker Andriy Shevchenko spoke to MilanNews.it.
These are his statements.
What did you and Italian football give to each other?
"First of all, it's a great privilege and honour for me to enter the Hall of Fame of Italian football. Today, I wrote a letter for Italian football. I tried to express all the love, everything I feel for Italian football and for Milan. For me, these were the best years of my career. My relationship with Italian football, especially with the people, remains even stronger after all these years. I still want to thank the Italian people for their support to my Ukrainian people during the most difficult time in our history."
What do you think of this Milan? What is this team missing? Would you always play Rafael Leao?
"I don't get involved in the technical side. I think Milan fans are waiting for results. There are moments when Milan plays really well, like against Real Madrid, it was a fantastic match. Milan needs consistency and, above all, a way to form a strong team, to fight for the league title and, maybe in the future, to get back in the running for the Champions League."
Do you like the strikers in Italy? Shevchenko said:
"I immediately noticed that it has been maybe 10 years since Italy had two Italian strikers playing well and showing good football. I like both of them (Kean and Retegui, ed.). I think it's a great help for the National team to have two such strikers. Let's hope they grow and give an important contribution to Italian football."
Did you imagine becoming a symbol for all those people who feel attacked by a violent force? Shevchenko answered:
"I am Ukrainian, I am defending my country, because we are defending important values. For me, I know a bit about what it's like to live during a war, I know how hard it is for people. I am here for them. I give support to my country, I give support to all those who have suffered so much."
I ask you about Rafael Leao: is it right to keep such a champion on the bench sometimes?
"I think a player like Leao definitely needs to be protected well, because he is a treasure for the team. I think Leao should also take a step forward to do more for the team, because a champion is not just someone who does something important in attack. A champion is a leader, a champion is someone who helps the team in difficult moments. Leao has the potential to become a leader, but now he has to show it."
