Softfootball has gathered that Rinat Akhmetov made a rare and emotional return to a football stadium for the first time in 12 years, attending Shakhtar Donetsk’s 3–0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, the appearance took place at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland, where Akhmetov was joined by CEO Sergej Palkin and sporting director Darijo Srna.
Romano reported:
Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Ahmetov made his return at the stadium after 12 years. Here with CEO Sergej Palkin and sporting director Darijo Srna.
The visit also followed a tribute to former manager Mircea Lucescu in Bucharest, further highlighting the emotional connection between the club’s past and present during a challenging era.
Meanwhile, Juventus have officially extended the contract of head coach Luciano Spalletti until June 2028, less than 24 hours after both parties had reached an agreement in principle, reinforcing their commitment to long-term stability after a strong start to his tenure.
The moment of Rinat Ahmetov’s visit carries deep significance, as Shakhtar have been playing away from their home city of Donetsk since 2014 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, making this return a powerful symbol of resilience and unity.
Shakhtar’s dominant performance on the pitch provided the perfect backdrop to Akhmetov’s return, underlining the team’s continued competitiveness in European football despite years of displacement. His presence was widely seen as a show of solidarity and belief in the club’s future.
