Benfica’s Ukrainian star reduced to tears after being given armband and ovation

Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk was reduced to tears after receiving a standing ovation from Benfica supporters during their clash with Vitoria on Sunday.

The 26-year-old opted to play despite the brutal ongoing war in his homeland, coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute in place of former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

Yaremchuk came on with his side 3-0 ahead, which is how the game finished at the Estadio da Luz.

And the striker became the latest player to receive an outcry of support following the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week, being met with huge applause as he took to the pitch.

Fans held up anti-war and pro-Ukraine signs while the player, who has eight goals this season, looked visibly moved.

Yaremchuk applauded fans in the stadium before taking a few moments to soak it all in as he appeared close to tears with his lip quivering.

It follows several other instances of support for Ukraine on the weekend.

The Premier League clash between Everton and Manchester City saw Ukraine duo Vitaliy Mykolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko embrace at Goodison Park.

Everton players came out of the tunnel draped in Ukraine flags in a spectacular display of unity.

Meanwhile, the Carabao Cup final saw Liverpool and Chelsea players observe a minute of clapping for Ukraine while posing for a photo amidst each other.

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It came in light of Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich handing over “stewardship” of the club to its charitable foundation.

Abramovich distanced himself from the west London side after finding himself in the spotlight due to his links with leading figures in Russia.

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