The football community is in mourning following the sudden death of former Ukraine international Andriy Polunin, who passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 55 years old.
The tragic incident occurred during a veterans' match in the city of Lutsk, Ukraine. Polunin fell ill on the pitch and could not be saved.
A Career on the International Stage
Andriy Polunin earned nine caps for the Ukrainian national team during the 1990s. His most notable contribution came in a Euro 1996 qualifier against Italy, where he scored a goal at the San Nicola stadium. Despite his effort, Ukraine lost the match 3-1 and ultimately failed to qualify for the tournament.
Polunin began his professional career in his home country with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, a club that is now defunct. Seeking greater opportunities, he soon moved to Germany to continue his playing career.
Club Career and Post-Retirement Roles
During his time in Germany, the defender turned out for several clubs, including 1.FC Nuremberg, FC St. Pauli, and Rot-Weiss Essen. He concluded his playing days in 2004.
Following his retirement from the pitch, Polunin remained deeply involved in football. He transitioned into roles as a scout and sporting director. From 2008 to 2012, he served FC Naftovyk Okhtyrka as sporting director and even as president for a period. At the time of his passing, he was working as the chief scout for Metalist 1925.
Football World Pays Tribute
Heartfelt tributes have poured in from across the sport, honouring the memory of the former player.
One of his former clubs, Metalist 1925, released an official statement expressing its "sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Andriy Viktorovych." The club added that it shared in the pain of the loss.
Another of his old teams, FC Karpaty Lviv, also paid its respects, writing: "Eternal memory to Andriy Polunin, sincere condolences to his family and friends."
Fans and commentators shared their grief online, with one supporter recalling him as a "really under rated player." The sudden nature of his passing at a veterans' game has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
