Starukhina received the Women’s Player of the Year trophy
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Shakhtar women’s team midfielder Alina Starukhina received the Player of the Year 2025 award
Alina Starukhina, who was named the best player of the women’s team in 2025 by fans, received a commemorative award. The symbolic ball was handed over before a training session by the team’s head coach Roman Zaiev. The coach and the squad congratulated Alina on her achievement and wished her further success with the Orange-and-Blacks.
According to the voting results on Shakhtar’s official social media pages, Starukhina collected 248 votes, finishing ahead of defender Yevа Balatska (226). Goalkeeper Liudmyla Ustinova (136 votes), defender Sofiia Lutsan (124) and midfielder Viktoriia Holovach (46) made the top five. 859 respondents participated in the poll in total.
Alina Starukhina, midfielder:
– For me, this award is a great honour and confirmation that daily hard work, discipline and belief in myself have not been in vain. This is the result of the efforts of the entire team, the coaches and the support of my loved ones. The award motivates me to keep moving forward, work even harder, progress, and help the team achieve the best possible results and fight for trophies. Special thanks to the fans for their support. I would also like to express separate gratitude to our defenders – it is your work that enables us to train, play and achieve success.
It is worth noting that Alina has represented Shakhtar women’s team since their first season and is a regular member of the starting line-up. In 2025, the midfielder featured in 23 competitive matches in the Ukrainian Women’s Vyshcha League and the Cup.
According to the voting results on Shakhtar’s official social media pages, Starukhina collected 248 votes, finishing ahead of defender Yevа Balatska (226). Goalkeeper Liudmyla Ustinova (136 votes), defender Sofiia Lutsan (124) and midfielder Viktoriia Holovach (46) made the top five. 859 respondents participated in the poll in total.
Alina Starukhina, midfielder:
– For me, this award is a great honour and confirmation that daily hard work, discipline and belief in myself have not been in vain. This is the result of the efforts of the entire team, the coaches and the support of my loved ones. The award motivates me to keep moving forward, work even harder, progress, and help the team achieve the best possible results and fight for trophies. Special thanks to the fans for their support. I would also like to express separate gratitude to our defenders – it is your work that enables us to train, play and achieve success.
It is worth noting that Alina has represented Shakhtar women’s team since their first season and is a regular member of the starting line-up. In 2025, the midfielder featured in 23 competitive matches in the Ukrainian Women’s Vyshcha League and the Cup.
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