In May 2027, Dynamo (Kyiv) and millions of its fans will celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary.
Over the years, many famous players have represented the most titled and popular team in our country.
Andriy Shevchenko and Oleg BlokhinAmong them are European champion Yuri Voinov and Olympic champion Oleksiy Mykhailychenko.
Yozhef Sabo, Valeriy Porkuyan, Viktor Serebryanykov, Leonid Ostrovsky, Viktor Bannikov were part of the USSR national team at the 1966 World Cup, which was awarded bronze medals.
A large group of Dynamo players from the capital of Ukraine are Olympic medalists and silver medalists from several European championships.
Kyiv has twice won the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1975, 1986) and the UEFA Super Cup (1975).
I think many will agree with me that the brightest players in Dynamo’s history, two forwards, Oleg Blokhin and Andriy Shevchenko, are holders of the “Ballon d'Or” (France Football) awarded to the best player in Europe. Their popularity during their playing years both abroad and in our country was enormous.
Both were born in the Year of the Dragon
Oleg Blokhin was born on November 5, 1952, in Kyiv, and Andriy Shevchenko was born on September 29, 1976, in the village of Dvirkivshchyna (Yahotyn district, Kyiv region). Both came into the world in the Year of the Dragon. Oleg is a Scorpio, while Andriy is a Libra.
From childhood, our stars passionately kicked the ball around the yard with their peers. They have much in common in their bright sports careers – they are titled, honored masters of sports.
Oleg Blokhin. Seven-time USSR champion, three-time silver medalist, five-time cup holder.
He played for Dynamo for 18 seasons, and was recognized as the best football player in the country in 1973, 1974, 1975. He was the top scorer in the Soviet championship five times. He played 432 matches for the Kyiv team, scoring 211 goals in championships. In the USSR Cup, he played 67 matches (31 goals). Blokhin has 79 appearances (30 goals) in European cups.
He was a bronze medalist at the Olympic Games in 1972 (Munich, Germany), 1986 (Montreal, Canada), winner of the Cup Winners’ Cup (1975, 1986) and UEFA Super Cup (1975).
Blokhin was the first Ukrainian football player to win the “Ballon d'Or” (1975). In the France Football survey, he scored 122 points, leaving behind German Franz Beckenbauer (“Bayern Munich”) with 42 points and Dutch Johan Cruyff (“Barcelona”) with 27 points.
Successful coach
After finishing his playing career at Dynamo, Blokhin briefly played in the Austrian “Vorwarts” and “Aris” (Cyprus). He then moved on to coaching in Greece. He quickly learned the Greek language and successfully worked with several clubs. “Olympiacos” from Piraeus won the "silver" of the championship and the national cup in the first season with the Ukrainian mentor. Then he collaborated with other teams – PAOK (Thessaloniki), AEK (Athens), "Ionikos" (Nikea).
Oleg Vladimirovich’s star time was when he led the national team of Ukraine from 2003 to 2007. His team successfully qualified for the 2006 World Cup. At the final tournament held in Germany, our team, as promised by Blokhin, finished in first place.
At the German stadiums, the Ukrainians reached the quarter-finals of the world championship – this is still the highest achievement of the Ukrainian national team.
The second coming of Blokhin to the national team (2011−2012) at the home Euro was not as successful as his time at the helm of Kyiv’s Dynamo.
Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovsky, Blokhin’s longtime mentor, said of his protégé: “His game stability is impressive. His selfless devotion to football is an example for others.”
Started at Dynamo and ended his career at home club
Hero of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko, like Oleg Blokhin, is a graduate of the Dynamo football school.
Andriy Shevchenko. Five-time champion of Ukraine, three-time cup holder. Best football player in the country in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2004, 2005.
As part of “Milan”, winner of the Champions League (2002−2003) and UEFA Super Cup (2004).
Winner of Serie A Scudetto (Italy) – 2003−2004.
Italian Cup (2002−2003).
Italian Super Cup (2004).
While playing for London’s “Chelsea”, won the FA Cup (2007). Holder of the League Cup (2007).
Top scorer of the Italian Serie A: 2000, 2004.
Top scorer of the Cup/Champions League: 1999 (11 goals), 2001 (9 goals), 2006 (9 goals).
Member of Oleg Blokhin's Club – 374 goals.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame of Italian football on November 12, 2024.
Best player on the planet according to the results of an internet poll of fans from all over the world (Golden Foot) (2005).
After playing for “Dynamo” (1992−1999), Shevchenko received an invitation to “Milan.” At this top club, the football talent of the Ukrainian fully blossomed. In his first season, he confirmed to the Milan fans that he was ready to perform effectively in the new team, scoring 24 goals.
Journalists immediately dubbed Sheva "The New Van Basten." This Dutch forward was once a legend among the club’s fans.
From the first days, Shevchenko became the new idol of Milan. In the ranks of the famous club, he became the holder of the Champions Cup (2003). The following year, he won the “Ballon d'Or.”
Andriy was the first Ukrainian football player to play 111 matches for the national team, scoring 48 goals - the best result.
Sheva was the captain of the Ukrainian national team at the 2006 World Cup, which ranked among the top eight teams in the world.
Thereafter, there were appearances at “Chelsea,” a return to “Milan” and the conclusion of his playing career at his home club Dynamo. He played 55 more matches and scored 23 goals.
Andriy Mykolayovych also worked as a coach for the Ukrainian national team (2016−2021). His team reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Once Shevchenko said: “I did not choose football, it chose me.”
If that’s the case, then thank you very much to football for such a magical gift. Gratitude also to his parents.
There is still much to tell about two legendary Ukrainian footballers from Dynamo, holders of the “Ballon d'Or,” Oleg Vladimirovich Blokhin and Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko, who, thanks to their immense talent, along with their teammates, reached cosmic heights in their beloved game.
At 48, Andriy Shevchenko continues to live an active life in football. On January 25, 2024, he became the president of UAF.
Alexander LIPENKO for Dynamo.kiev.ua
