Shevchenko, visit to the AFF: Albanian football has grown a lot

2025-02-21 19:00:00, Sport CNA

The "House of Football" welcomed today on an official visit the President of the Ukrainian Federation, Andriy Shevchenko. Invited by the President of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, the world football legend arrived in Tirana at around 11:00 and then visited the premises of the "House of Football".

Accompanied by the Secretary General of the Albanian Football Association, Ilir Shulku, the Administrative Director, Aldi Topçiu, and the EC Member, Envi Hicka, the head of the Ukrainian Federation had the opportunity to learn more about the history and achievements of Albanian football over the years.

During the visit, Andriy Shevchenko inspected the national team's training center, the "House of Football" grounds, the museum, and the AFF administration premises.

Both sides exchanged views on the further development of football, shared experiences and discussed various projects and infrastructure investments.

In a statement to fshf.org, Andriy Shevchenko expressed his pleasure at the visit to Tirana and thanked President Duka and the Albanian Football Federation for the invitation and hospitality. He praised the development of football in Albania and its impact on the growth of the country.

"Thank you, I am very pleased to be here, I want to thank President Armand Duka, a friend, for this beautiful opportunity and for the hospitality. I am very impressed by the work that has been done. I have been coming to Albania for a long time and I see the country growing a lot. The whole country is growing, but I believe that the greatest development also comes from football, which is growing a lot," - Shevchenko initially said, who further praised the sports infrastructure of the Albanian Football Association.

"This beautiful sports center, with offices, training fields with structures adapted to host high-level teams, giving them all the opportunities to better prepare for training. I have visited many sports centers and I am impressed because the organization and the idea of ??building an important project, a project that above all is adapted for all those who are part of the Federation, because we see girls' and boys' football, the right structures to welcome events, I see structures suitable for football events, for children, for adults, and above all for national teams. The center also has a very beautiful museum, it was very interesting, I learned many things today that I did not know", - said Shevchenko.

At the end of his speech, he wished success to Albanian football, the Albanian Football Association and the national team in the World Cup qualifiers.
"I wish your football, all of you, to continue this upward path, to qualify for something important. I know you have a difficult group, but football is played evenly when the match starts, so it is important to have confidence," Shevchenko concluded.

Afterwards, Shevchenko was received by President Duka, and together they are watching the UEFA Nations League match for women between Albania and Ukraine at the "Niko Dovana" stadium.