THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KIEV, Ukraine — Former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko has retired from football after 17 years and wants to pursue a career in politics.
Shevchenko, who began and ended his career with Dynamo Kyiv, told the club’s website: "This time I’m certain. My future won’t be tied with football. My future now is with politics."
The 35-year-old helped Dynamo win five successive Ukrainian titles in the 1990s, scoring 60 goals, and went on to achieve global fame after joining Milan in 1999.
A crowd favourite at San Siro, Shevchenko scored 127 goals for the Italian club – helping it to win the Champions League, the Serie A title and the Italian Cup. That club success also secured him the Ballon d’Or in 2004.
He moved to Chelsea in 2006 before returning to Kyiv three years later. In between, he collected FA Cup and League Cup winners’ medals in a mixed spell with the west London club, which included a loan spell back to Milan.
Shevchenko cemented his iconic status in Ukraine in June by heading both goals in a 2-1 win over Sweden before a home crowd at the 2012 European Championship. The triumph at the group stage was Ukraine’s only victory of the tournament.
He announced his international retirement at Euro 2012, after scoring 48 goals in 111 games for his country. At the time, he would not be drawn on his future in club football.