Oleksandr Zinchenko has been handed the captain’s armband for Manchester City’s FA Cup trip to Peterborough United in a powerful show of support to the Ukrainian.
The left-back started the match, his first game for the club since his country was invaded by Russia last Thursday, an action that has prompted a wave of support for Ukraine and its people.
The most powerful sporting example of that came at City’s trip to Everton on Saturday evening when the two sides displayed the Ukrainian flag and Zinchenko embraced countryman Vitaliy Mykolenko before kick-off.
Zinchenko started the Premier League clash on the bench but was named to start at left-back by City boss Pep Guardiola for the fifth-round trip to Championship side Peterborough.
When announcing their line-up on social media, City had put Fernandinho down as their captain for the evening.
But 45 minutes later, City released a short message to reveal that the midfielder had passed the armband over to Zinchenko as a show of support to him and his country.
Guardiola revealed before kick-off that the decision to make Zinchenko captain, who has 48 caps for Ukraine, was entirely Fernandinho’s.
“Our captain decided to give the armband to him to show how important the situation is and we are all behind his gesture. He represents his country,” Guardiola told ITV Sport.
The City boss had earlier insisted that Zinchenko was in the right frame of mind to play despite the tragedy that has hit his homeland.
“Human beings have the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations,” said Guardiola.
“When he's at home, talking to family and friends and seeing the videos (of the war), of course he cannot be happy.
“But in training with his mates, in the locker room, the ball is so attractive. He can forget for a short time. Then he goes back to his wife and daughter and it must be tough.”
As Zinchenko led out the City team for the game, he held the Ukrainian flag with Peterborough captain Frankie Kent.
The Posh mascot had also ran around the pitch carrying the flag during the warm-ups, when Zinchenko was applauded by the whole stadium as his name was read out.
Zinchenko himself has expressed his anger at Russia’s invasion and insisted that Ukraine will remain a sovereign nation.
“The whole civilised world is worried about the situation in my country. I can't stay away and try to convey my opinion,” he wrote on Instagram.
“In the photo - my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colours I defend in the international sports arena.
“A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable.
“My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine.”
