The war in Ukraine has put football into perspective in recent times, especially for those who hail from the country.
There have been some emotional scenes in recent times as players took to the pitch despite what was happening in their homeland, with Andriy Yarmolenko providing another example this afternoon.
The West Ham man, who has won over 100 caps for the country, had not featured for the club since the conflict broke out. He made his return against Aston Villa earlier today, breaking the deadlock in the game after being introduced as a second half substitution.
Understandably, some very emotional scenes followed.
We love you, Yarma! 😢🥰 pic.twitter.com/KsQ1PUhHRh
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 13, 2022
West Ham would go on to win the game 2-1.
Andriy Yarmolenko gives emotional interview after West Ham return
Speaking to Sky Sports in his post-match interview, Yarmolenko struggled to put into words how difficult the last few weeks have been.
"It was so emotional for me... you know the situation in my country" 🥺️
West Ham's Andriy Yarmolenko gives a powerful post-match interview after dedicating his goal to the victims of the war in Ukraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/Y9dETIl8Em— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 13, 2022
What happened today? It was so emotional for me because of the situation in my country.
It's so difficult for me right now in this moment to think about football. Every day in my country, the Russian army are killing Ukrainian people.
It was so emotional. To be honest, I don't know what to say. It's so emotional.
I just want to thank my teammates who have supported me all the time, every day. I want to say to West Ham fans that they have supported me and the Ukrainian people. I also want to say thank you to all British people, because we feel your support for us...
I just tried to give everything on the pitch. I knew how important the game was for us today.
I'm not ready to be 100 per cent. In the last two weeks, I've trained maybe three or four times. Since the 26th of February, I rested for four days because it was impossible for me to train. I was thinking about my family and my people.
After I trained for for two or three days, I needed to rest again. I just tried to give everything on the pitch...
It's really important to feel support, from the manager, from my teammates, from the fans. When I feel it, I give everything for the supporters and the club.
At this moment, I feel how West Ham as a club and the fans have supported us Ukrainians.
Brilliantly said.
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