Andriy Yarmolenko breaks down in tears after scoring 'more than just a goal'

dailystar.co.uk:

West Ham's Ukraine international forward Andriy Yarmolenko burst into tears after scoring for the Hammers in their clash with Aston Villa on Sunday (March 13).The former Dynamo Kyiv and Borussia Dortmund was forced to put worries for his home country to the back of his mind while taking to the pitch during the Premier League encounter and his second half goal was too much to take.The 32-year-old delighted the London Stadium crowd with a fine volley to open the scoring - before his emotions came flooding back.Yarmolenko has been hailed for his goal, which was dedicated to the people of his homeland who find themselves displaced and in grave danger following the invasion of Vladimir Putin's Russia.Sharing a heart-warming photo of West Ham stars surrounding their colleague after his goal, the club wrote on Twitter: "We love you, Yarma!"To which one fan responded: "How Yarmolenko found the strength to play today is beyond me, but easily our best player when he came on."With a second adding: "Sport is more than sport.

Yarmalenko has gone through probably the worst time in his life being a proud Ukrainian. His goal meant more than just a goal."And a third concluding: "Absolutely thrilled for him.

Deserves this more than anyone."Pablo Fornals made it 2-0 before Jacob Ramsey's consolation with Yarmolenko saying: "It was so emotional for me because of the situation in my country. "It is so difficult for me right now in this moment thinking about football because every day, the Russian army is killing Ukrainian people."It was so emotional.

To be honest, I don’t know what to say. I just want to say thank you to my team-mates, who support me all the time, every day. "To West Ham fans, they also support me and Ukrainian people and.