Ukrainian soccer legend Andriy Shevchenko has admitted in an interview with AFP that he cried when he “saw children running through a field riddled with rocket craters” in Irpin, a commuter town outside of Kyiv that was liberated from Russian control.

The 2004 Ballon D’Or winner said he was overwhelmed by the youngsters’ determination to play football despite the carnage around them.

Shevchenko, 46, the son of a “military man” who despite his upbringing “has opposed wars all his life,” was so angry at February’s Russian invasion that he “was in excruciating pain I couldn’t even breathe “.

“I couldn’t grasp the fact that bombs are falling and rockets are flying right now in the middle of democratic Europe,” he said this week.

“They fly to my home, to everything I love. I had to decide what to do to help my country quickly.

“I’ve thought about everything I’m capable of and where I can be most effective.

“And I realized that I must use the power of my name to publicly fight for Ukraine.”

Unlike some Ukrainian sports stars who have taken up arms, Shevchenko chose an ambassadorial role to demonstrate his country’s plight.

The 2003 Champions League winner with AC Milan and tennis star Elina Svitolina “immediately” accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to become an ambassador for a charity called United24.

He met the President on May 18 in Kyiv.

“It was the first time I came to Ukraine since February 24, the war had already lasted two and a half months, and Russian troops had just left the city.

“I saw an empty yet indomitable Kyiv. It was a very emotional moment for me, as was my meeting with the President.”

The charity was set up by Zelensky to raise funds to meet Ukraine’s most urgent needs: defense and demining, medical aid and rebuilding the country, which has been devastated since Vladimir Putin’s invasion began.

Shevchenko has focused on raising funds for medical aid and reconstruction.

“We will announce the first project this week. In total, over $200 million was raised in five months and people from 110 countries took part.

“I think I made the right decision.”

Shevchenko, whose mother and sister were able to leave Kyiv about six weeks after the invasion, said he was amazed at the resilience of his compatriots on visits home.

“The people I met in Borodianka, in a temporary house built for 22 families, have already set up living space there and welcomed us with a smile on their faces,” he said.

“Despite the fact that these people lost everything they had, they continue to enjoy life.

“And that is such a typical characteristic of Ukrainians. Rising from the darkness, always looking for the best in everything and supporting each other.

“Ukrainians evoke not only sympathy, but also admiration from all over the world.”

He says he owes his thanks to his former club for their support.

“There are no words to describe how I felt when AC Milan announced they would release a special t-shirt with my number in support of Ukraine,” he said.

The sale of the t-shirt raised 200,000 euros ($196,000) which will help rebuild a children’s soccer field in Irpin destroyed by Russian missiles.

Shevchenko – who was also touched by the “great constant support” from Barcelona’s Poland striker Robert Lewandowski – said despite recent successes on the Ukrainian battlefield, it was only last week that he was reminded of Russia’s prowess.

“A week ago I left Kyiv by train on the day the most devastating strikes since February 24 hit Ukraine,” he said.

“Today (he spoke to AFP on October 17) Russia again attacked civilians.

“In the center of Kyiv, an apartment building is on fire, and a family expecting a child has been killed.”

Yet even amid the loss of innocent lives, Shevchenko saw something that encouraged him.

“In the midst of all this horror and pain, I saw a photo of a rescuer retrieving a kitten from the rubble.”