Andriy Shevchenko has revealed that the ‘most beautiful win’ of his career was Milan’s penalties victory over Juventus in the 2003 Champions League Final.
Shevchenko scored 175 goals for Milan over two spells, winning a Scudetto and Champions League, and the former Rossoneri striker looked back on his career with DAZN.
“When I arrived at Milan I was very happy, it was a special moment,” he told the broadcaster.
Andriy Shevchenko has revealed that the ‘most beautiful win’ of his career was Milan’s penalties victory over Juventus in the 2003 Champions League Final.
Shevchenko scored 175 goals for Milan over two spells, winning a Scudetto and Champions League, and the former Rossoneri striker looked back on his career with DAZN.
“When I arrived at Milan I was very happy, it was a special moment,” he told the broadcaster.
“There’s a good story about the No 7 I wore. I remember that when I arrived, Ibrahim Ba told me: ‘If you want, I'll leave you this number.’
“I thanked him, he was perfect. Two days later a childhood friend called me, he told me: ‘Do you know that in Hebrew, the number ‘seven’ is ‘sheva’?’ I couldn’t believe it.
“He told me it would bring me luck, and the rest is history. My most beautiful win? The Manchester Final at Old Trafford against Juve.
“That was a very strong Juventus side at Old Trafford, which is a special stadium. It was the most important game of my life.
“Kaka? I’ve never seen such a perfect player in the history of Milan. He was fully immersed in the team’s mechanisms.
“After just one training session, I realised he was special and that with him, we would’ve stepped up a level: he changed Milan’s gear.
“Maldini? He’s in Milan’s history. He was a great captain, a great friend and a great player. Berlusconi was a great President and person, who created 25 years of incredible Milan history.
“Ancelotti was a friend, as well as a Coach. He was a special person. The respect we had for each other, the friendship that binds us was beautiful.
“I’ll never forget those 12-15 seconds, those in which I walked from the halfway line to go and take the penalty.
“Your whole life passes before you, from when you were a child. After that, you grow up with your dreams and, going to the penalty spot, you understand that now, right now, you can make them come true.
“When I went up, I told myself to play it safe and take it the way I knew how, not change my mind.
“I watched the referee, then the ball, then Buffon. I finally heard the whistle and took it as I wanted.”
Arguably the Ukrainians’ best goal came against Juve in December 2001, when he beat Gianluigi Buffon from long range – so was it a shot or a cross?
“Not often do you score goals like that, even if you keep tying,” he explained.
“But I took a shot, I didn’t cross! There’s no doubt about it. Indeed, it was a wonderful move: I turned around, then weaved past my man and unleashed an incredible shot.”