Golden Ball Exhibition in Odessa
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, a unique exhibition was unveiled near the «Chornomorets» stadium in Odessa: 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 to Ukrainians from the company ROZETKA, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Besides Odessa, the «Golden Balls» will also be exhibited in nine other Ukrainian cities: Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, and Lutsk.
Odessans will have the opportunity to see this unique installation tomorrow, June 8, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM near the western entrance of the «Chornomorets» stadium.
In case of an air raid alert, the exhibition will pause, and visitors must head to the shelter.
«Together with ROZETKA, we launched a project that has brought all three Ukrainian «Golden Balls» together for the first time. Our main goal is to inspire young Ukrainians to play football and show that nothing is impossible if you are truly passionate about what you do. That’s why our tour slogan is «The Next Golden Ball is Yours», – said the president of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko.
«Soon it will be 50 years since I received my «Golden Ball», the first for Ukraine. Football is a game where character and perseverance matter, as well as the spirit, which Ukrainians demonstrate every day. I believe that among our children is someone who will bring Ukraine the fourth «Golden Ball», – shared footballer and coach Oleg Blokhin.
«I traveled across Europe, Asia, and of course, Ukraine with my «Golden Ball» – from big 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: among our youth, there are many talented children, and the next «Golden Ball» in Ukraine is just a matter of time», – said footballer Igor Belanov.
«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 (up until 2007, to the best player in Europe). This trophy has been awarded to three Ukrainian footballers: Oleg Blokhin in 1975, Igor Belanov in 1986, and Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.
