On Saturday, June 7, 2025, a unique exhibition was unveiled in Odessa, near the «Chornomorets» stadium, showcasing three «Golden Balls» – trophies of legendary Ukrainian footballers Oleg Blokhin, Igor Belanov, and Andriy Shevchenko. The installation will also be available on Sunday, June 8.
This event is a gift from the company ROZETKA, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Besides Odessa, the «Golden Balls» will be displayed in another nine Ukrainian cities: Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, and Lutsk.
Residents of Odessa can see this extraordinary installation tomorrow, June 8, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM near the western entrance of the «Chornomorets» stadium.
In the event of an air raid alert, the exhibition will be halted, and visitors must proceed to the shelter.
«Together with ROZETKA, we launched a project that has gathered all three Ukrainian «Golden Balls» in one place. Our primary goal is to inspire young Ukrainians to pursue football and demonstrate that nothing is impossible if you are truly passionate about your craft. This is why our tour slogan is «The next Golden Ball is yours»,” stated Andriy Shevchenko, President of the Ukrainian Football Association.
«Soon it will be 50 years since I received the «Golden Ball», the first for Ukraine. Football is a game where character and perseverance are crucial, as well as the spirit that Ukrainians exhibit daily. I believe among our children is the one who will bring the fourth «Golden Ball» to Ukraine,” shared footballer and coach Oleg Blokhin.
«With my «Golden Ball», I traveled across Europe, Asia, and of course Ukraine – from major cities to the most remote corners, even visiting the front lines. Everywhere, fans and young footballers were thrilled to see this trophy. I am glad that all three «Golden Balls» are together today to support Ukrainians. I believe that among our youth are many talented children, and the next «Golden Ball» in Ukraine is just a matter of time,” said footballer Igor Belanov.
«The Golden Ball» is a football award established by the French magazine France Football in 1956. It is awarded annually to the best player in the world (until 2007, it was for the best player in Europe). This trophy has been won by three Ukrainian footballers: Oleg Blokhin in 1975, Igor Belanov in 1986, and Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.
