Volodymyr Zelenskiy Appoints Former AC Milan Striker Shevchenko As Ambassador For Ukrainian Charity

JAKARTA - Former striker of the Ukrainian national team, Chelsea and AC Milan Andriy Shevchenko has a new task. He will help raise funds to rebuild his country after the Russian invasion.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Shevchenko, whom he met in Kyiv on Wednesday, was appointed the first ambassador of UNITED24, a fundraising initiative for Ukraine's "recovery and development".

"Andriy, with his work and sporting achievements, has gained great confidence on the international stage," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"And now he has a new mission - to tell the world about events in Ukraine and direct his authorities to increase international aid to our country. I'm sure it's all for you, it will work!"

Shevchenko, now 45 years old, is widely regarded as his country's best player. He played for Ukraine 111 times, scored 48 goals, and represented Dynamo Kyiv before playing abroad.

He was a coach of the national team for five years until last August.