Andriy Shevchenko, the 2004 Ballon d’Or winner, shared his thoughts on the upcoming Milan derby and the current state of his former club. Speaking to La Stampa from Kiev, where he serves as the president of the Ukrainian Football Association and an advisor to President Zelensky, Shevchenko offered a candid assessment of AC Milan’s struggles and the challenges facing their star players.
Reflecting on Milan’s inconsistent season, Shevchenko expressed sympathy for the recently dismissed Paulo Fonseca: “I know little, but as someone who cares for Milan, I’m sorry for Paulo Fonseca, a man I know and who has always shown great correctness, an interpreter of values, as we have seen. Here in Ukraine, he did well, and I believe he left the idea of his work at Milan too. It seems to me he tried to give his best to solve problems that he didn’t bring.”
When asked about Rafael Leão’s impact on the team, Shevchenko didn’t mince words: “If Leão wants to be an important player and mark Milan’s history, he must give much more. His quality is not in question, but he is not a leader: he can become one if he takes responsibility. The point is: does he want to?”
Shevchenko emphasized the importance of consistent motivation, not just for big matches: “It’s too easy to get motivated for a final or against a historic opponent… The group must think about a global objective, not a single match.”
Addressing Milan’s recent derby successes against Inter, Shevchenko noted: “It means that now Milan has the potential of a strong team, you don’t win two derbies like that by luck. Yet, nothing has been built on that. Something is missing.”
The Ukrainian legend stressed the simplicity of football, especially for players at top clubs: “If you’re a champion, it’s the perfect condition: play and prove yourself. That’s it. Simple.”
Commenting on the current Serie A landscape, Shevchenko praised the competitiveness: “It’s a beautiful championship, it would be intriguing to see a fight until the last day. And I’m talking about who will be determined to challenge Inter because they remain at the top.”
He also commended Inter’s growth: “They are aware of their means, the squad is close-knit, tied to a coach who has had time to give his own imprint. The new players fit in, there is respect for strategies. They have something more than the others. And after experiencing the Champions League final on par with Manchester City, they know it.”
Shevchenko concluded by addressing the issue of fixture congestion in modern football: “I fear it’s the wrong question, we should move on to asking how much each individual can play with this calendar. Football is evolving, and different systems need to be found. If a player can’t take it anymore, he must be able to say it; if he needs to stop, it must be legitimate.”
