Ukraine boss Andriy Shevchenko’s wife Kristen is an ex-American model, who posed with the ex-Chelsea star in saucy shoot
UKRAINE manager Andriy Shevchenko is the football legend who has won it all – including the heart of a stunning American model.The ex-Chelsea ace, who played for the Blues from 2006 to 2009, has led his country to a quarter-final place at Euro 2020, where they will take on England.
Andriy Shevchenko, pictured with wife Kristen, has led the Ukraine at the Euros
Shevcheno and Kristen posed in a sexy photoshoot for GQ in ItalyCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
The photoshoot took place in 2003 when Shevchenko was in his prime at AC Milan
However, before that – when the now 44-year-old was starring in Italy for AC Milan in the early noughties – he was posing in saucy photoshoots for GQ Italia.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner is married to stunning American model, Kristen Pazik.
And the men’s lifestyle magazine came up with the genius idea to pair them together for a covershoot. Incidentally, it became GQ Italia’s biggest ever seller.
Pazik’s father Mike is also a MLB legend, having pitched for the Minnesota Twins in the 1970s and helped Kansas City Royals win the World Series in 2015 as their Major League scout.
MODEL MISSUS
Blonde bombshell Kristen, now 42, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is of Polish descent.
She met Shevchenko at a fashion show in Milan in the early 2000s, where he was one of the best players in the world.
The pair were instantly smitten, and they appeared topless on the front cover of the Italian version of GQ in a saucy photoshoot in 2003.
Pazik and Shevchenko’s chemistry can be seen throughout the photoshootCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
The semi-naked shoot was an eye-opener for Serie A fansCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
Pazik was born in America and is of Polish originCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
Shevchenko and Pazik became the glam couple of Italian football after the GQ photoshootCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
In the snaps Shevchenko also posed toplessCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
Three years after this shoot, Pazik and Shevchenko married in Washington DCCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
In the snaps the chemistry between them is seemingly electric, with Shevchenko draped across the semi-naked beauty.
Other images show a topless Sheva looking suggestively down the lens.
That issue is GQ Italy’s biggest seller of all-time, and put the super-couple on the map.
A year later Kristen, who boasts 276-inch pins, and Shevchenko married on a golf course in Washington DC.
They have four sons, including one boy – Kristian – who is on Chelsea’s books.
Pazik walks the runway at the Rocco Barocco show during Milan Fashion WeekCredit: Rex Features
Shevchenko met Kristen in the early noughties when he played for AC MilanCredit: Rex Features
The pair were cover stars for the Italian version of GQ magazine
Pazik boasts legs measuring 276 inchesCredit: The Mega Agency
Shevchenko’s son Kristian, 14, is on the books at Chelsea
SHE LOVES CHELSEA
When Shevchenko was to be sold by AC Milan, both Manchester United and Chelsea declared their interest.
However, the forward’s wife reportedly helped her husband make his mind up.
Kristen was said to have become close to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s ex-wife Irina, who apparently whisked the beauty around Sloane Square’s glitzy designer boutiques.
Soon after, Shevchenko chose to move to West London, but he told Gazetta Sport that his wife wasn’t the deciding factor.
“My wife has nothing to do with this, we decided together for the best interests of our family,” he said.
Shevchenko and Pazik pose with legendary designer Giorgio ArmaniCredit: Getty Images
Pazik reportedly influenced Shevchenko to move to Stamford Bridge and was friends with Roman Abramovich’s ex-wife IrinaCredit: Rex Features
Blonde bombshell Pazik reportedly loved the trendy boutiques West London offersCredit: Rex Features
In the early days of their romance Shevchenko and Pazik would speak Italian to one anotherCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
“I don’t speak English, my wife does not speak Ukrainian – the only language we have in common at the moment is Italian.
“The only way to be able to teach our children our love that we have for them is the English language.”
At the turn of the year, Shevchenko was linked to the Chelsea job but lost out to Thomas Tuchel.
You can’t help think that one day he might just end up in the managerial seat at Stamford Bridge.
STRIKE IT LUCKY
Shevchenko isn’t the only sports star in his family. His father-in-law is a MLB legend.
Mike Pazik was a pitcher who was a first round draft pick by the New York Yankees in 1971.
He enjoyed three seasons at Minnesota Twins from 1975-77, then served as a pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1995-98.
Ukraine boss Shevchenko has managed to get his team into the Euro 2020 quarter-finalsCredit: AP
Shevchenko and Pazik have been married for 17 yearsCredit: Instagram / @kristenpazik1
Shevchenko’s father-in-law is baseball legend Mike PazikCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mike Pazik is now the Major League scout at Kansas City Royals
Pazik is currently working with the Kansas City Royals as a Major League scout.
In 2015, he helped the team win the World Series for only the second time in their history.
Will Shevchenko be able to channel his father-in-law’s winning mentality against England?
Shevchenko and Andersson have ugly touchline row as Sweden manager accuses Ukraine stars of diving in Euro 2020 game More