MY ACCOUNT
An emotional Oleksandr Zinchenko declared “I would die” for Manchester City after lifting the Premier League title due to the support the club have offered amid the conflict in Ukraine.
Pep Guardiola opted to leave Zinchenko on the bench against Everton in February, City’s first game since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine following heightening political tensions between the two countries.
Zinchenko returned for the next match and captained the side to victory in a FA Cup fifth-round win over Peterborough United, as support continued for the Ukraine international in the stands and on the pitch.
The 25-year-old capped a turbulent season on a personal level as he came off the bench at half-time in the dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa, which secured the Premier League title on Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Zinchenko expressed his gratitude for the support of his team-mates, coaching staff and supporters at City.
Asked what the title meant, the left-back said: “Unforgettable emotions for me, this is for all Ukrainians at the moment who are starving and surviving in my country because of Russian aggression.
“I’m so proud to be Ukrainian, I would love to one day bring the title to Ukraine for all Ukrainian people because they deserve it.
“This [club] means everything to me because I want to die for these people, the support that people gave me, what they have done for me during this period, the toughest period of my life.
“It is so appreciated and I will never forget this.”
Zinchenko continued to dedicate the top-flight success to his home country as he detailed the struggles of continuing to compete with the ongoings in Ukraine.
“Honestly at some point at the beginning, I didn’t even think too much about football because it’s impossible to live at the moment with this going on in my home country,” he added.
“But all this support I have had in this period and during, you know, we did it – so what can I say.”
As for what his fourth title at City meant, Zinchenko added: “I hope we are going to keep going because this amazing club deserve everything.”
