Andriy Shevchenko: "Then I realized that I had to restore this stadium..."

The completely destroyed sports arena in Irpin is being restored at the initiative of Andriy Shevchenko, a former Dynamo player, Ukrainian national team player, Ballon d'Or winner, and ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform, who began training after visiting Irpin in the fall of 2022.

"It was one of the most touching moments of my visit. I walked through the destroyed stands, along corridors covered with glass and concrete, and came to a field with a big black funnel in the middle of it. Children were running around with a ball. It was a very difficult, painful and at the same time inspiring sight that moved me to tears. The enemy managed to destroy the football field, but not our children's passion for their favorite game. Then I realized that I had to restore this stadium, and we will definitely do it," Shevchenko said.

Shevchenko rallied the global and Ukrainian football community. The necessary amount was raised thanks to AC Milan, Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Italian Serie A Football League. The partners' funds will be used to rebuild the stands, restore the pitch and lighting of the stadium.