Shevchenko says he played with radioactive football aged 9 nine due to Chernobyl

30 October 2023 , 02:00

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Andriy Shevchenko grew up in an area affected by the Chernobyl disaster (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Ex- Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has revealed that he played with a radioactive football at the age of nine following the Chernobyl disaster.

Shevchenko, a legend in his native Ukraine and the winner of the 2004 Ballon d'Or, grew up near the infamous nuclear power plant which suffered a devastating breakdown in 1986. Shortly after the blast filled the surrounding areas with deadly radiation, a nine-year-old Shevchenko brought home a football which turned out to be dangerous.

His father's Geiger counter readings "went mad" before the ball was quickly destroyed. "I had brought a little piece of Chernobyl into the family home," Shevchenko, now 47, explained in his new book, My Life, My Football.

"A small atomic bomb, hidden away inside my greatest passion. My ball was buried in a basin. When I walked through the front door, it had been tucked under my arm like a treasured trophy."

As a result of the Chernobyl disaster, which directly killed 50 people and affected thousands more, Shevchenko had to evacuate the city of Kiev. His house was around 200 kilometres from the incident but he and his family ended up on the shore of the Sea of Azov, some 1500km from home.

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Shevchenko went on to become one of the greatest strikers of his generation, starring for native giants Dinamo Kiev and then AC Milan, where he famously won the Champions League alongside picking up the Ballon d'Or. The Ukrainian struggled after signing for Chelsea for £31million in 2006. When adjusted to 2023 prices, his record-breaking transfer to Stamford Bridge would now be worth a massive £215m.

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Andriy Shevchenko never found his feet at Chelsea (PA)

Failing to meet expectations, Shevchenko scored just nine goals in 48 appearances for the Blues, with injuries marring his three-year stint. "I would like people to understand my difficulties were due to physical issues," he added in his book.

"The fans were great with me but sadly I never managed to show them my best. I was afraid I was going to have to retire from football. I felt bad for the people and the club. I'd have given the world to return the affection they were showing me. Instead, I was broken. I did my best and gave my all: that was just my way."

Nathan Ridley