'You are not alone': Lewandowski vows to wear Ukrainian armband at Qatar 2022

September 22 - Polish captain Robert Lewandowski has pledged to wear Ukrainian colors on his sleeve at the World Cup to show his solidarity with the invaded country.

The Barcelona striker met with former Ukrainian captain and coach Shevchenko at the National Stadium in Warsaw to collect a special blue and yellow armband as a gift that he will wear in Qatar.

Ukraine failed to qualify for the World Cup and Lewandowski said: "I will wear Shevchenko's armband at the World Cup in November as a reminder that the Ukrainian people are not alone ."

Lewandowski first showed his opposition to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine days after it began in February. The public position of two-time World Player of the Year has allowed Poland to miss out on facing Russia in a World Cup qualifier semi-final scheduled in Warsaw on March 24.

Since then, football relations between Poland and Ukraine have seen Ukrainian national and club teams playing 'home' matches in international competitions in Polish stadiums this season.

Shevchenko, the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker who played for Ukraine 111 times, raised money to rebuild his country after the invasion. "I want to thank Lewandowski for this act of solidarity and for all his work on behalf of my country," he said.

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