Squads for the upcoming Game4Ukraine charity match have been released, featuring a host of football legends and current stars. The match, which will take place at Stamford Bridge on August 5, is in aid of Ukraine and will help raise funds for the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of the country last year. The funds raised will be directed towards the reconstruction of the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky School in Chernihiv Oblast, which was struck by missiles.
Team Blue, coached by women’s team manager Emma Hayes, features a number of Premier League greats from Chelsea. The team includes former Chelsea players Michael Essien, Claude Makelele, Ricardo Carvalho, Gianfranco Zola, William Galas, Samuel Eto’o and Carlo Cudicini. Current Chelsea winger and Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk also joins the team alongside Serie A legends Clarence Seedorf, Luca Toni, Dida, Massimo Oddo and Fabio Cannavaro.
Meanwhile, Team Zinchenko has an Arsenal theme, with Arsene Wenger managing former players Jens Lehmann, Per Mertesacker, Robert Pires, Partick Vieira, Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna. Oleksandr Zinchenko recently joined talkSPORT to discuss the game and revealed that he always dreamed of playing for the legendary Wenger.
“It’s incredible. I’d like to say a massive thanks to him that he was going to join us,” he said. “My boyhood dream was to be an Arsenal player and that after watching Arsenal with Arsene Wenger, Arsenal was the team where I wanted to be since I was a kid and using this opportunity he will be my manager. A few months ago he came to one of the games at the Emirates and we spoke about football and the rumours about myself and Arsenal. I asked him if it was true and he said ‘yes it was’. I had the opportunity to join Arsenal when I was 17, but eventually it happened, just a bit later!”
The match is expected to be a sell-out, with an extended half-time music show to attract fans. The star-studded line-up of players and coaches is sure to draw in football fans from all over the world.
The Game4Ukraine charity match is a shining example of how sport can be used to bring people together and raise awareness for important causes. By using their platform and influence, these football legends are helping to make a difference in the world and provide aid to those in need.
Heading 1: Game4Ukraine Charity Match
Heading 2: Squads Released for Game4Ukraine Charity Match
Heading 3: Team Blue
Heading 4: Team Zinchenko
Heading 5: Football Legends Unite for Game4Ukraine
Heading 6: Using Sport to Make a Difference