Manchester City had to persuade Alexander Ginshenko with great difficulty. When Russia invaded Ukraine last February, one of Ukraine's best stars wanted to return to his homeland. Patriot Ginshenko wanted to fight the Russian aggression with a formal weapon.
Somehow he was turned away. But his mind was always on his homeland, where his grandparents lived. After the war, many attempts were made to send the two out of the country safely. But Ginshenko's grandparents did not agree. The season is over. After contributing to Manchester City's Premier League victory, Ginshenko's goal now is to take the country to the main draw of the Qatar World Cup. Ukraine, who beat Scotland 3-1 in the play-off semifinals in Glasgow on Wednesday, are now only 90 minutes away from the World Cup final. Winning the play-off final against Wales on Sunday, war-torn Ukraine will reach the World Cup final in Qatar.
According to the British tabloid 'The Sun', Ginshenko's thoughts went out of football after the war started. His country was in his thoughts. Ginshenko's statement was very clear, 'I want to tell the truth. I want to return to Ukraine, even for my family or my daughter. I know the people of my country. I know their mentality. They think the same as me. They are fighting. They will choose death but they will not bow down. '
Although Ginshenko was captured in Manchester, he could not withdraw from the war. Ginshenko is doing what can be done without arms. Has sent large grants to the National Bank of Ukraine. Sent food for the troops. Sent relief to the common people. He has regular contacts with the Ukrainian army. Ginshenko has promised to hold a huge party in honor of the army when the war is over.
Ginshenko wants to win the match against Wales for now. If we can go to the World Cup this time, it will be the second time in the history of football in Ukraine that we will play in the World Cup. Andrea Shevchenko's Ukraine played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany for the first time. "Taking the team to the World Cup in the war would be a great gift for the people of his country," said Jinchenko. The last match against Wales in the World Cup qualifiers is also a survival match for us. We dream of going to the World Cup as a team. There is only one fight left, I want to win that fight. '