Berlin (DPA)
Robert Lewandowski, captain of the Polish national team, decided to wear a badge bearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag during the World Cup in Qatar.
Lewandowski, the Spanish star of Barcelona, received the badge of Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, the former captain of his country’s national team.
Lewandowski met Shevchenko at the Warsaw National Stadium to get the yellow and blue badge he will wear during the World Cup, which Ukraine will miss.
Ukraine was subjected to a Russian military invasion last February and millions of civilians were forced to flee the country, and many of them traveled to Poland, which hosts the matches of the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk in the current version of the European Champions League.
“I will carry the colors of Ukraine in the World Cup, as a player and as a man, I support peace and believe that these symbolic gestures are important,” Lewandowski said.
“As an athlete, I believe that we must use the power of sport for good, and I will take Andrey’s badge with me to the World Cup in November to remind that the Ukrainian people are not alone or forgotten,” he added.
“It means a lot to me to stand here with Andrei, the player and the man who used his voice and his platform for positive change,” he said.
For his part, Shevchenko thanked Lewandowski, and said: “For me, the insignia of the leader is a symbol of leadership, strength and passion for your country. I want to hand this badge to Robert to thank him for his support for my country and his demand for peace.”
