Shevchenko discusses what makes Milan special and becoming history: “A special bond”

Yesterday, Andriy Shevchenko turned 50 and the AC Milan legend looked back on his experience with the club.

There are very few strikers in history who can match Shevchenko and Milan fans would take him back in a heartbeat if they could. Scoring 175 times across two spells, the Ukrainian is regarded as one of the best No.9s in history, cemented by his Ballon d’Or.

Lifted in 2004, after a spree of trophies with the Rossoneri, he beat the likes of Deco, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry by a fine margin to prove he was, in fact, the best player in the world after a phenomenal season in Italy and Europe.

Shevchenko on becoming a Milan legend

So, on his 50th birthday, he spoke to Sky Sport about his experiences with the club and how others can sit aside him and the other legends in the future, as MilanPress relays.

“My goal was to become important to this club and leave something in its history. That was my goal, not just to play, win, and have fun. I wanted to leave something in football, to write a little page about myself in football history.

“To become an important player in AC Milan’s history, everyone knows you have to win the Champions League. I think every player who has played for AC Milan has a special bond, which goes beyond just being a former player. Those who have played here were used to always winning; you always won.

“AC Milan is a special club, but above all it has fans who give something more. San Siro, the pressure, the crowd, the fans… They make this club very special.”

It’s fair to say that there have been plenty of forgettable players in recent years, especially with the Rossoneri failing to do much of note in Europe. Everyone – including Sheva – would love to see another European trophy lifted.