Football legend Andriy Shevchenko joins Laureus as newest Ambassador
Andriy Shevchenko, one of the most prolific strikers in European footballing history and winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, has been announced as an Ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation at an event in London.
Andriy will support the work of Laureus promoting sport as a tool for social change, and inspire youngsters from Laureus projects around the world, who are facing adversity and using sports such as football to stay on track in life.
To kick off his role as an Ambassador, Andriy spent time inspiring the youngsters from Laureus-supported Street League programme in London. Firstly, inspiring the young people working on their academics in the classroom, before taking part in a footballing session, offering them hints and tips in the sport he dominated for so many years as a player.
“I’m honoured to join sporting legends from around the world as a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Ambassador. Seeing first-hand today the great work Laureus does both here in the UK and around the world is inspirational. Football for me was a dream career and a great opportunity, and it’s the same for these young people today. Through sport you can gain so much and the life-changing opportunities Laureus provide are benefitting young people around the world.”
French World Cup star and Laureus World Sports Academy Member Marcel Desailly welcomed Shevchenko as a Laureus Ambassador. He said: “
Andriy was quite simply one of the greatest goalscorers there has ever been. We both played for Milan and Chelsea, but not at the same time. Every footballer loves playing with a natural goalscorer in their team and I would have loved to play with him. But maybe now at least I can work with him at Laureus. I am delighted that he has agreed to become a Laureus Ambassador. I am sure he will inspire a lot of young people.”
Laureus-supported Street League use the sport of football to engage with youngsters who are currently out of work in the UK. Street League kicks off the relationship with young people aged 16-24 who are not in work or education, offering free, regular football sessions within the local community.
