Barcelona & Napoli follow Malinovskyi with message of support for Ukraine

By Conor Laird

Published: February 24, 2022 7:58 pm

Last Updated: February 24, 2022 8:01 pm

Both clubs and players alike have made use of the Europa League action on Thursday evening to unveil messages of support for under-attack Ukraine.

The subject of developments in Ukraine has of course taken its place centre stage in the headlines across the globe over the course of the day to date.

This comes amid a widespread backlash against Russia’s ongoing military invasion of the country, stemming from Vladimir Putin’s decision to send troops into the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

In turn, after finding the net during his side’s Europa League triumph over Olympiacos this evening, Atalanta star Ruslan Malinovskyi, a Ukrainian international himself, lifted his jersey to reveal a message of support for his home country.

‘No war in Ukraine’, the shirt simply read.

Following his goal for Atalanta, Ukrainan international Ruslan Malinovskyi revealed a shirt that read “No war in Ukraine.” pic.twitter.com/eChLpIpheC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 24, 2022

‘Stop war’

And the efforts of Atalanta’s midfield star are set to be followed in short order by a similar message of solidarity on the part of European heavyweights Barcelona and Napoli.

As announced by the former ahead of the fast-approaching kick-off between the two sides in Naples, a banner will be held up by both sets of players prior to the action getting underway, which too reads:

‘STOP WAR’:

The @en_sscnapoli and FC Barcelona players will display a banner with the words ‘STOP WAR’ before today’s match. #StopWar
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 24, 2022