Benfica's Roman Yaremchuk Reduced To Tears After Receiving Standing Ovation
Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk couldn't hold back the tears after being brought on for Benfica against Vitoria this evening.
Yaremchuk, along with many other Ukrainian footballers, have been left rocked and utterly terrified this week following Russian president Vladimir Putin announcing a full-scale invasion of the neighbouring Eastern European country.
The former Gent and Dynamo Kyiv man came on as a substitute, replacing two-goal striker Darwin Nunez.
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He was handed the captain's armband by Jan Vertonghen in a show of solidarity.
Ukrainian Roman Yaremchuk in tears as he receives a standing ovation from everyone at Estádio da Luz (Benfica), Lisboa. What a moment.pic.twitter.com/bHSqH2Oexr
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) February 27, 2022
Here’s the moment Yaremchuk entered the pitch for Benfica tonight
— Zorya Londonsk (@ZoryaLondonsk) February 27, 2022
Standing ovation đź‘Ź
Support for Ukraine 💙💛
Given captains armband đź’Ş
Visibly moved by the crowd 🥺 pic.twitter.com/euXVvcYUUU
Ukrainian forward Roman Yaremchuk comes on for Darwin Núñez and is handed the captain’s armband.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) February 27, 2022
The entire Benfica supporters group gives him a standing ovation, moving Yaremchuk to tears.
Very emotional moment at the Luz. pic.twitter.com/BY8cLPS1Aa
He was then giving a wonderful standing ovation by his supporters, with many holding up banners in support of their player and Ukraine.
Yaremchuk applauded the entire stadium and was visibly emotional, tearing up just after the hour mark.
The scenes were beautiful and continued the trend of the footballing community around the world rallying around their Ukrainian representatives.
Yarumchuk's compatriot Andriy Yarmolenko was not in the squad for West Ham's game against Wolves at the London Stadium on Sunday, with David Moyes allowing the player time off due to the torrid situation.
Captain Declan Rice held up the former Borussia Dortmund winger's shirt to show support for his teammate prior to the game.
Declan Rice holds Andriy Yarmolenko's West Ham shirt before kick-off to show their support 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/sA38BDYFkl
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 27, 2022
At Goodison Park ahead of the visit of Manchester City on Saturday night, Everton changed their pre-match ritual out of respect for the two Ukrainian players involved in the fixture.
The Toffees normally play air raid sirens mixed into the Z cars theme but elected not to due to emergency sounds heard in Ukraine this week.
Everton played the Hollies hit 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' as the players lined up on the pitch and it led to Oleksandr Zinchenko being overcome with emotion.
Oleksandr Zinchenko in tears before kick-off as both teams show their support for Ukraine.
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 26, 2022
Heartbreaking.💔🇺🇦pic.twitter.com/Zeo4oWw8S5
The Manchester City left-back had shared a wonderful and powerful embrace with Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko pre-match.
City players wore t-shirts with the message 'No War', while Everton players came out draped in Ukrainian flags.
Josh Lawless