Ukrainian football star and leading AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko was named the European Footballer of the Year winning the Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball).

“I’m very pleased to have received this award,” Shevchenko said. “I want to dedicate this to the Ukrainian people. I offer this Golden Ball to my people.”

Since the bosses of AC Milan and Dynamo Kiev agreed on the 37.5 million euro transfer of Shevchenko from Ukraine to Italy in 1999, 28-year-old “Sheva” (as nicknamed by fans) has scored 136 goals overall. With Shevchenko as a leading striker, AC Milan won the Champions League in 2003 and the Italian championship in 2004.

The award indeed crowns the football star’s “beautiful year”. In July Shevchenko married American model Kristen Pazik, who he met at Giorgio Armani party, and became a father in October.

He also models part time for his favorite designer Giorgio Armani, including catwalk shows and photoshoots for Armani sunglasses ads, and owns the Giorgio Armani boutique in Kiev, the first Armani boutique in Ukraine.

Also read: Golden Ball for Shevchenko (by RealEstateGates.com)

Andriy Shevchenko scores Golden Ball (by GamblingGates.com)