Jul 6

Jul 6 Ukraine's Greatest Football Players

The 5 Greatest Ukrainian Football Players of Al Time

Formerly a part of the Soviet Union until 1991, Ukraine is a new presence in international football when compared to the long history of other footballing nations.

Despite their inexperience, the Eastern Europeans haven’t wasted time in making themselves household names on the world stage; with the Yellow and Blue qualifying for three European Championships and one FIFA World Cup in the period since their independence.

No silverware has been won yet, but the best Ukranian footballers have often still snatched the spotlight when called to represent the motherland due to both talent and mentality. The most popular sport in the world is also the most popular sport in Ukraine, and its 5 best players were all world-class.

Here then are the crème de la crème from Ukraine:

1. Andriy Shevchenko

Position: Striker

Caps: 111

Goals: 48

Ukraine’s best ever and most talented player of all-time, Andriy Shevchenko is considered an icon in his country.

The striker was handed his Ukraine debut in March 1995 at the age of 18. He was already in his third season as a pro, having broken into Ukranian side Dynamo Kyiv’s reserve team at 16. His first cap came after he had played 10+ games for Dynamo Kyiv’s senior team.

The striker was called up sporadically at first, but became an undisputed starter after 1997 as he scored 4 goals in 8 caps that year. Between 1998-2002, Ukraine unfortunately endured poor luck whilst attempting to qualify for international tournaments, losing three consecutive playoffs (final knockout before qualification) to miss on qualifying for the ’98 and 2002 WCs and Euro 2000.

Shevchenko did score 10 goals across those qualifying campaigns, but he ultimately found it hard to carry the entire team by himself.

Ukraine eventually qualified for the 2006 WC; Shevchenko’s first major international tournament after 11 years on the national team that had brought 63 caps and 28 goals till that point.

At the WC held in Germany, Shevchenko captained Ukraine in all 5 of their games as they surpassed expectations with cohesive, often gritty performances to reach the quarter-finals at their only WC appearance till date.

The striker scored 2 goals in his 5 starts. His winning penalty in the 1-0 win vs Tunisia secured Ukraine’s qualification to the RO16. Shevchenko did miss a penalty in the RO16 shootout vs Switzerland, but Ukraine still progressed before eventually losing to Italy in the QFs.

The ’06 WC performance solidified Shevchenko’s legacy as a legend, yet he wanted to do more. With Euro 2012 being partly hosted by Ukraine, the attacker refused to hang up his boots so he could take part.

At the Euros, Shevchenko rolled back the years as he scored 100% of Ukraine’s goals at the competition, though the Yellow and Blue crashed out in the group stage. He scored 2 goals in as many starts, with his brace vs Sweden securing a 2-1 win.

After a 17-year international career, Euro 2012 was Shevchenko’s last major tournament, as he retired afterwards at the age of 35.

A complete striker, Shevchenko in his prime was both quick and strong. He was technically accomplished with both feet; and an underrated dribbler who could even take set-pieces.

The striker was a prolific goalscorer for most of his career, which was likely due to his impeccable positional instinct. It often seemed like he could sniff out chances.

Currently Ukraine’s top goalscorer of all-time, Shevchenko also ranks top for most caps as captain and second for the most caps overall. He is currently the manager of Ukraine’s national team, a post he has held since 2016.

2. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk

Position: Defensive midfielder / Centre-back

Caps: 144

Goals: 4

The most-capped Ukrainian of all time, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk had a 16-year international career anyone would be proud of.

His first senior cap came in April 2000 at 21-years old while he played for Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine. It was in his sixth season as a pro.

Initially a rotation option in the first year, Tymoshchuk became an integral part of the national team soon afterwards. The defensive lynchpin made at least 7 appearances annually for Ukraine for over a decade (2001-20013), becoming synonymous with the Yellow and Blue.

At the 2006 World Cup, Tymoshchuk started all 5 of Ukraine’s games as a central midfielder as they reached the QFs at the first attempt, with 3 clean sheets along the way.

As a defensive lynchpin who was also technically astute on the ball, Tymoshchuk shone in midfield, being named man of the match in the 1-0 group stage win vs Tunisia despite not scoring the solitary goal. Tymoshchuk continued to be ever-present for his homeland despite age eventually catching up to him.

At Euro 2012, the midfielder started all 3 games (1 as captain) as Ukraine exited in the group stage, playing in a double-pivot of a 4-2-3-1 or as a DM in a 4-3-1-2. After Andriy Shevchenko’s retirement in 2012, Tymoshchuk became Ukraine’s captain.

His last major tournament was Euro 2016, where a 37-year old Tymoshchuk made one appearance off the bench as Ukraine crashed out of the group stages.

He retired in August 2016. A versatile player capable of playing in defence and midfield at a high level, Tymoshchuk was as graceful as he was gritty. A reliable player who led through his actions, Tymoshchuk was also capable of scoring either inside or outside the box as his right foot possessed great power and accuracy.

3. Oleksandr Shovkovskyi

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 92

One of Ukraine’s most capped players ever and an integral member of their team for 18 years, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi solidified his legendary status on the biggest stage and that necessitated his inclusion.

Shovkovskyi’s senior international debut came in November 1994. At Ukranian club Dynamo Kyiv at the time, the ‘keeper’s Ukraine debut was in his second season as a pro.

After his debut, Shovkovskyi only made 1 more appearance for the next three years, before getting another chance in 1997 and taking it, becoming a regular fixture from then on.

By 2006, the shotstopper had 64 caps under his belt. At the ’06 WC, Shovkovskyi was Ukraine’s first-choice goalkeeper. He started all 5 of the games at the tournament – keeping 3 clean sheets – but his moment of glory came vs Switzerland in the RO16.

During the penalty shootout, Shovkovskyi saved 2 Swiss penalties to secure Ukraine’s victory and become the first GK ever to not concede during a WC shootout.

This led to the ‘keeper being named man of the match. Afterwards, he remained the starting GK for Ukraine’s failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, keeping 4 clean sheets from 12 games.

Shovkovskyi was phased out from ’08 onwards for current starting GK for Ukraine, Andriy Pyatov. The ‘keeper retired in September 2012 at the age of 37-years old.

Having stayed at Dynamo Kyiv for his entire career, Shovkovskyi has the most appearances for the club in their history (637 games). He is best remembered for being a specialist in saving penalties.

4. Andriy Yarmolenko

Position: Forward / Winger

Caps: 92

Goals: 38

Undoubtedly a part of the most talented players Ukraine have produced and one who currently holds a place in the top 10 lists of Ukraine’s most capped players (6th) and top goal scorers (2nd).

Andriy Yarmolenko made his senior international debut in September 2009 at the age of 19 in a WC qualifying game vs Andorra and the forward ended up scoring in the game, giving his fellow countrymen a glimpse of what was to come.

His debut came in his fourth season as a pro; Yarmolenko played for Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv at the time.

After 2 years of acclimatizing to the team, the attacker had become one of the first names on the team sheet by Euro 2012. Hosted by his motherland, it was Yarmolenko’s first major international tournament. He started all 3 of Ukraine’s games on the right-wing of a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, ending up with no goals to his name as Ukraine exited at the group stage.

After the tournament, the forward’s importance to his country grew due to talisman Andriy Shevchenko’s retirement.

This is evidenced by the fact ~80% of Yarmolenko’s international goals have occurred post-2012, with 14 goals coming between 2013 and 2015 alone.

As a result, his spot in Ukraine’s Euro 2016 squad was certain. His place in the squad was further solidified by the forward scoring in both legs of Ukraine’s 3-1 playoff win vs Slovenia which ensured qualification for the Euros.

Wearing the #7 shirt previously worn by Shevchenko, Yarmolenko started all 3 of Ukraine’s games as the Eastern Europeans crashed out of the Euros group stages without a goal to their name.

A skillful inside forward with a wand of a left foot, Yarmolenko at his best is unpredictable with his dribbling and clinical in his finishing inside or outside the opposition box. He is still active, having over 20 caps from the past three years alone. The attacker also ranks 4th all-time in scoring for Dynamo Kyiv.

5. Serhiy Rebrov

Position: Striker

Caps: 75

Goals: 15

A Ukraine and Dynamo Kyiv legend, Rebrov is best known globally as Andriy Shevchenko’s strike partner for club and country during the 1990s.

His senior international debut came in June 1992 at the age of 18, just after his first season as a pro at the Ukranian club Shakhtar Donetsk.

After 4 sporadic international caps in 4 years, Rebrov began to cement his place in the side in 1996. One of his most important goals secured a 3-2 win vs Russia in Euro 2000 qualifying, sealing victory for the Yellow and Blue against their regional rivals.

The period 1996-2000 was when Rebrov scored 80% of his international goals and was also his most prolific at club level as he scored over 100 goals for Dynamo Kyiv.

After this, Rebrov’s form for club and country was poor for 5 years, with the striker not scoring double figures in 4 from 5 seasons as well as scoring only 2 goals from 34 caps for Ukraine.

A return to Dynamo in 2005/06 led to a renaissance though, and his 14 goals for club that season confirmed his place at the 2006 World Cup. The ’06 WC was the attacker’s only major international tournament.

Rebrov played 4 games at the WC - starting 2 – as Ukraine reached the QFs of a World Cup at the first and only attempt. He also managed to score in a 4-0 vs Saudi Arabia, a game in which Rebrov played in central midfield.

The striker retired later that year, aged 32. A tenacious striker who harassed defenders, Rebrov’s finishing with his right-foot was venomous and accurate, and his long-rage shots were menacing. His movement was poacher-like and his composure unnatural.

Rebrov is Dynamo’s 2nd all-time top scorer and 9th on their all-time appearance list. He is also 4th all-time on Ukraine’s scoring list. He formerly coached Dynamo, winning 2 Ukrainian Leagues and Cups each. He is the current head coach of Ferencvaros of Hungary, a team seen regularly in the UEFA Champions League.