UKRAINE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF WORLD BEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF 2013 

Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kyiv occupied the 26th place in the World Best Football Players of 2013 list of the World Soccer magazine. The list identifies the best players of 2013 based on the voting of international jury, sport journalists and millions football fans worldwide. Ukrainian footballer shares his spot on the list with Xavi Hernandez from Spanish Barcelona.

Published on December 13, 2013, the list of the most remarkable football players of 2013 is spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo (1075 points) from Portugal, playing for Real Madrid, Lionel Messi (926 points) from Argentina, playing for Barcelona, and Franck Ribery (870 points) from France, playing for Bayern Munich. The performance of football players is evaluated according to the number of points gained throughout the 2013 football season during the the national or international level matches. Reportedly, the points could be gained by scoring, saving from the goal threat, or notable game dribble. Moreover, all three football athletes run for the Ballon d’Or (fr. Golden Ball) – the most prestigious football reward in Europe.

In 2012 Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona was ranked the best football player of the year, according to World Soccer.

Scoring 19 points each, Spanish Xavi Hernandez and Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko outstrip such internationally famous football stars as: Carlos Tévez from Juventus, Ryan Giggs from Manchester United, David Silva from Manchester City, Francesco Totti from Roma, Wayne Rooney from Manchester United and Ronaldinho from Atletico Mineiro.

Andriy Yarmolenko, 24, has been playing for Dynamo Kyiv since 2007. Throughout his professional career with Dynamo, Ukrainian footballer played in 37 national and international tournaments and scored 14 goals overall. During 2013-2014 football season Ukrainian athlete participated in 16 friendly tournaments and scored 8 goals total. Notably, Andriy owns a national football record: he scored the first goal 15 seconds after the football tournament commenced. The record was set in the friendly game with the Uruguay team in September, 2011.

Previously, Ukrainian football athlete Andriy Shevchenko was ranked 3rd according to the World Soccer in 1999, 2000 and 2004. Additionally, in 1999 World Soccer published the list of the Best Football Players of the XX Century, where Andriy Shevchenko was placed on the 60th spot.

World Best Football Players list has been published annually since 1982.