Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski to wear Ukrainian armband at World Cup

By Issy Ronald, CNN

Updated 0851 GMT (1651 HKT) September 21, 2022

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski received a Ukraine armband from Andriy Shevchenko.

(CNN)Former Ukraine captain and coach Andriy Shevchenko presented Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski with a Ukrainian armband to wear at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

During an event at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on Tuesday, the two famed strikers embraced as Shevchenko fastened the blue and yellow armband to Lewandowski's arm.«I'm very proud because I know what it means to support Ukraine's people,» Lewandowski said. «I know what it means to fight for freedom, we know the history, our history and that's why it was clear to help our neighbors, to help the people from Ukraine and I'm very proud to wear this armband and to be on this side. I'm very glad and very grateful for everything.»As neighboring countries, there are strong ties and a shared history between Ukraine and Poland, which has accepted more than a million Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion since February, according to the UNHCR.Read MoreLewandowski has long been among Ukraine's supporters, calling for Poland to boycott its World Cup qualifying match against Russia just days after the war began. When he played for Bayern Munich, the Polish captain wore a Ukrainian armband while his teammates wore black armbands to commemorate those killed in the war. «First of all, I want to thank Robert for everything he's been doing for my country,» Shevchenko said. «And I give this armband to him: this armband represents pride, power, some attachment to Ukraine.»Shevchenko (L) won the Ballon d'Or in 2004.Football has assumed added importance in Ukraine in recent months.The Ukrainian