Artem Dovbyk, the name is on the lips of football fans as he gears up to lead Ukraine’s attack in their Euro 2024 Group E opener against Romania at the Allianz Arena on Monday. This isn’t just another striker entering the tournament; Dovbyk has recently catapulted himself into the spotlight after a remarkable debut season in La Liga.
He secured the Pichichi award, awarded to La Liga’s top goalscorer, with a staggering 24 goals for Girona. This Ukrainian talent, born in Cherkasy, honed his skills in the FC Cherkaskyi Dnipro academy, emerging from the Olympic Reserve Specialized Sports School Slavutych in Cherkasy. His professional debut arrived on July 26, 2014, against Skala. A month later, on August 16, he etched his name in the history books by scoring his first goal in a 3-1 victory against Krystal Kherson. At just 17 years and 55 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer for his club, marking the beginning of a promising career.
Dovbyk’s journey continued, taking him to Danish club Midtjylland before he landed at La Liga side Girona on August 6, 2023. A reported fee of 7 million euros made him the most expensive player in Girona’s history, showcasing his value and the club’s faith in his abilities. He further cemented his status with a significant contribution to Girona’s first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League. On May 4, he scored his 20th La Liga goal of the season, adding an assist in a 4-2 win against Barcelona, a testament to his impact on the team.
Dovbyk’s international career began at 19 when he was called up to the Ukraine senior national team. He was included in the 31-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Iceland on September 5, 2016. His senior debut arrived on March 31, 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan. He was then selected for UEFA Euro 2020 on June 29, 2021, coming on as a substitute for Andriy Yarmolenko during extra time in the round of 16 match against Sweden. It was in this crucial moment that he scored the winning goal in stoppage time, securing a 2-1 victory and propelling Ukraine to the quarterfinals.
Dovbyk’s impact on the national team is evident in his impressive stats. He has made 28 appearances for Ukraine and has found the back of the net 10 times, highlighting his ability to deliver on the international stage. With his impressive track record, goal-scoring prowess, and experience on the biggest stages, Artem Dovbyk is a force to be reckoned with at Euro 2024, and fans will be watching closely to see how he guides Ukraine to success in the tournament.
