Famous Ukrainian Football Players

Andriy Shevchenko is a retired Ukrainian football player and manager, known for his prolific career as a striker. He played for clubs like Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, and Chelsea, achieving success in domestic leagues and the UEFA Champions League. Shevchenko is Ukraine's all-time top scorer and led the national team to notable performances in international competitions. After retiring from football, he briefly pursued a political career before returning to coaching, eventually becoming head coach of the Ukraine national team and later holding leadership positions in sports organizations.

Yevhen Konoplyanka is a retired Ukrainian professional footballer known for his time as a winger. He began his career at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, playing over 200 matches and scoring 45 goals. He then joined Sevilla, winning the Europa League, before moving to Schalke 04 on loan. Konoplyanka later returned to Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, followed by spells at Cracovia and CFR Cluj. With over 80 caps for Ukraine, he participated in multiple UEFA European Championships and earned three Ukrainian Footballer of the Year awards.

Valeriy Lobanovskyi was a highly successful Soviet and Ukrainian football player and manager. He is best known for his time managing FC Dynamo Kyiv and the USSR national football team. Lobanovskyi achieved great success with Dynamo Kyiv, winning numerous Soviet Top League titles and Soviet Cups. He also led the team to victory in the European Cup Winners' Cup twice. Lobanovskyi's coaching career was marked by numerous achievements, including winning 33 official trophies and coaching three Ballon d'Or winners. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time.

Serhiy Rebrov is a Ukrainian professional football manager and former player known for his prolific career as a striker. He gained recognition as an attacking partner of Andriy Shevchenko at Dynamo Kyiv, becoming the all-time top scorer of the Ukrainian Premier League. Rebrov represented Ukraine in international competitions, including the 2006 World Cup. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, achieving success at Dynamo Kyiv and Hungarian club Ferencváros. He currently manages the Ukraine national team, guiding them to qualification for UEFA Euro 2024.

Andriy Pyatov had a successful professional football career primarily as a goalkeeper for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Premier League. Throughout his career, he displayed exceptional goalkeeping skills, leadership qualities, and dedication to his team. Pyatov's contributions were instrumental in Shakhtar Donetsk's numerous achievements, including winning multiple league titles and domestic cups. He earned a reputation as a reliable and consistent goalkeeper, earning praise from fans, teammates, and coaches alike for his performances on the field.

Dmytro Chygrynskyy is a Ukrainian professional footballer who primarily played as a centre-back. He spent the majority of his career at Shakhtar Donetsk, winning multiple Ukrainian Premier League titles, Ukrainian Cups, and the UEFA Cup in 2009. He also had a brief stint at Barcelona in Spain during the 2009-2010 season. Chygrynskyy represented the Ukraine national team, making 29 appearances between 2007 and 2011, and was part of the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play due to injury.

Oleg Blokhin is a legendary Ukrainian and Soviet football player and manager. He was a prolific striker for Dynamo Kyiv and the Soviet Union, setting numerous goalscoring records. Blokhin won multiple league titles and national cups with Dynamo, as well as European trophies. He represented the Soviet Union at the Olympics and FIFA World Cups. Blokhin was a three-time Soviet Footballer of the Year and a Ballon d'Or winner. As a coach, he led the Ukraine national team at major tournaments.

Oleg Salenko is a retired Russian-Ukrainian footballer who played as a forward. He is best known for his remarkable performance in the 1994 World Cup, where he scored a record five goals in a single group-stage match. This achievement earned him the Golden Boot as the joint-top goalscorer of the tournament. Throughout his professional career, Salenko showcased his goal-scoring prowess and made a significant impact on the field, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of football.

Andriy Yarmolenko is a prominent Ukrainian professional footballer known for his versatility as a winger or forward. He currently plays for Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Premier League and serves as the captain of the Ukraine national team. Yarmolenko has been a key player for Ukraine since 2009, showcasing his skill by scoring 46 goals in 122 international matches. He has represented Ukraine at multiple UEFA European Championships, including in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, solidifying his reputation as a top player in European football.

Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is a Ukrainian football coach and former midfielder known for his successful career at clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Bayern Munich. As a player, he won numerous league titles, domestic cups, and European trophies, including the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich. Tymoshchuk also had a distinguished international career, becoming Ukraine's most capped player and representing his country at major tournaments. However, his coaching career faced controversy due to his association with Zenit Saint Petersburg amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Denys Oleksandrovych Boyko is a Ukrainian professional footballer known for his role as a goalkeeper. He has showcased his skills and talent on the field in various clubs throughout his career. Boyko's professional journey has seen him represent different teams, demonstrating excellent goalkeeping abilities and contributing to their success on the field. His dedication and hard work have earned him recognition as a reliable and skilled goalkeeper in the world of football.

Júnior Moraes is a professional footballer known for his role as a forward. Originally from Brazil, he has gained recognition for his skills and contributions to the sport. Notably, Moraes has represented the Ukraine national team, showcasing his talent on an international level. Throughout his career, he has played for various clubs, displaying his versatility and proficiency in scoring goals. Moraes continues to make an impact in the football world with his exceptional abilities and dedication to the game.

Ruslan Rotan had a successful career as a professional footballer, notably playing for the Ukraine national team. He had a significant impact as a midfielder, showcasing his skills and leadership on the field. Rotan later transitioned into a managerial role with Oleksandriya, where he continued to contribute his knowledge and experience to the sport. Throughout his professional life, Rotan demonstrated a deep passion for football and a strong commitment to both playing and coaching at a high level.

Andriy Viktorovych Voronin is a Ukrainian professional football manager and former player who spent five seasons in the Bundesliga of Germany. He played as a striker or attacking midfielder for clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Mainz 05, 1. FC Köln, Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool, Hertha BSC, and Dynamo Moscow. Voronin was the top goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga in the 2002–03 season, which led to a transfer to 1. FC Köln. He also represented Ukraine in 74 matches, including appearances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

Igor Belanov is a former Soviet and Ukrainian professional footballer known for his time at Dynamo Kyiv where he won multiple titles and the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 1986. He later played in Germany for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Braunschweig. Belanov represented the Soviet Union at a World Cup and European Championship. He was recognized as one of the top 100 World Cup footballers by The Guardian. In 2011, he was honored as a legend of Ukrainian football at the Victory of Football awards.

Yevhen Oleksandrovych Seleznyov is a former Ukrainian professional footballer known for his successful career at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won the UEFA Cup in 2009 and a domestic double three years later. He was a top scorer in the league during the double-winning season and continued this success at Dnipro. With over 50 caps for the Ukrainian national team, Seleznyov scored 11 international goals and was part of the squad during UEFA Euro 2012.

Yevhen Khacheridi is a retired Ukrainian professional footballer who enjoyed a successful career as a defender. He began his professional journey playing for various clubs in Ukraine, including Dynamo Kyiv where he spent the majority of his career. Known for his physicality and defensive capabilities, Khacheridi played a key role in Dynamo Kyiv's domestic and European campaigns. He also represented the Ukrainian national team, participating in multiple international competitions. Khacheridi's dedication and skill earned him recognition as a reliable and accomplished player throughout his career.

Artem Kravets is a Ukrainian retired professional footballer known for his performance as a striker. Throughout his career, he showcased remarkable skill and goal-scoring abilities on the field. He played for various clubs at both domestic and international levels, earning recognition for his contributions to the sport. Kravets was celebrated for his agility, tactical awareness, and ability to find the back of the net. He left a lasting impact on the football world with his dedication and passion for the game.

Oleksandr Shovkovskyi is a retired Ukrainian professional footballer who primarily played as a goalkeeper. He spent his entire career with Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Premier League from 1993 to 2016. Following his retirement from playing, Shovkovskyi transitioned into coaching and currently serves as the manager of Dynamo Kyiv. He also ventured into politics and was elected as a member of the Kyiv City Council in the 2020 local election as a candidate of the UDAR party.

Viktor Skrypnyk is a Ukrainian football manager and former player known for his successful career in the sport. Skrypnyk played as a left-back and notably contributed to Werder Bremen's league and cup double victory in 2004. He made history as the first Ukrainian head coach in the Bundesliga, showcasing his expertise and leadership in the competitive world of professional football. Currently, Skrypnyk manages Metalist 1925 Kharkiv, where he continues to demonstrate his strategic approach and passion for the game.

Oleh Anatoliiovych Husiev is a retired Ukrainian football midfielder known for his successful career with FC Dynamo Kyiv. He specialized as a right midfielder and right-back, accumulating over 250 appearances in the Ukrainian Premier League. During his time with Dynamo, he secured multiple league titles, Ukrainian Cups, and Ukrainian Super Cups. As an experienced international player, Husiev earned over 95 caps for Ukraine, participating in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro.

Elvira Urazaeva is a skilled Belarusian footballer known for her role as a defender on the Belarus women's national team. She has showcased her talent on the international stage, having represented Belarus during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying matches. Urazaeva's dedication and prowess have made her a valuable asset to her team, demonstrating her commitment to the sport and her country. Her contributions on the field highlight her as a key player in the world of women's football.

Vladyslav Vashchuk is a retired Ukrainian football defender known for his tenure with FC Volyn Lutsk. During his career, he represented the Ukraine national football team in 63 matches, primarily as a centre back and occasionally as a sweeper. Vashchuk's professional journey was marked by his defensive prowess and versatility on the field, earning him a reputation as a reliable and skilled player. His contributions to both club and country showcased his commitment to excellence in the sport of football.

Artem Milevskyi is a retired Ukrainian professional footballer who played as a second striker. Known for his technical ability and physicality, he excelled as a forward. He achieved the prestigious title of Master of Sports of Ukraine, International Class in 2005. Milevskyi represented Ukraine on the international stage, earning 50 caps and participating in major tournaments such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

Oleksandr Pavlovych Yakovenko is a Ukrainian retired footballer who played as a second striker. Throughout his career, Yakovenko showcased his talent and skill on the field, earning recognition for his goal-scoring abilities and offensive prowess. He contributed significantly to his teams, displaying strategic playmaking and a strong understanding of the game. Yakovenko's dedication and passion for football were evident in his performances, making him a valuable asset to the teams he played for and leaving a lasting impact on the sport.

Natia Pantsulaia is a talented Ukrainian footballer of Georgian descent, known for her skills as a midfielder. She currently plays for Vorskla Poltava in the Ukrainian Women's League and represents the Ukraine national team. With her exceptional abilities on the field, Pantsulaia has established herself as a key player for both club and country. Her dedication and hard work have earned her a respected position in the world of women's football, showcasing her talent and contributing significantly to her team's success.