Rinat Akhmetov turns 60!
Monday, September 21, 2026
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FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov celebrates his birthday on September 21
Today, Rinat Akhmetov turns 60. And exactly half of his life has been dedicated to Shakhtar. Over three decades of his presidency, the club have won 40 trophies, including the UEFA Cup, 16 league titles, 14 Ukrainian Cups and 9 Ukrainian Super Cups. During this time, there have been many spectacular and memorable victories, one of Europe’s finest stadiums, Donbas Arena, has been built, and a whole generation of talented world-class footballers has been developed.
But for Rinat Akhmetov, victories are not limited to the football pitch. The president believes that Shakhtar achieves its greatest victories when they help people. Charity, helping children, supporting Ukraine’s defenders and their families and humanitarian work are important elements of Mr Akhmetov’s life philosophy. For more than two decades, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has been helping those who need it most. Since 2014, the Humanitarian Headquarters, founded by the president of Shakhtar FC, has saved thousands of lives. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Rinat Akhmetov has allocated more than UAH 14.6 billion to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilians.
For Rinat Akhmetov, however, the greatest victory in football remains the genuine love of the fans and the respect of Shakhtar from their opponents. Today, millions of people know, value and respect the team not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and around the world. This is the most important indicator of the path the club has taken during Rinat Akhmetov’s presidency. And this has been made possible by the president’s hard work, unwavering belief in Shakhtar and boundless love for the team.
Throughout all 30 of these years, Rinat Akhmetov has always been by Shakhtar’s side. No matter how difficult things are for the club or what challenges the team face, the president supports Shakhtar with all his strength and does everything possible to make the club even more successful. The president always thinks about the future: for him, every next victory is more important than the previous one, every next title is more valuable than all those that came before – and this is how he motivates and leads the way. It is thanks to Rinat Akhmetov’s vision and determination that Shakhtar looks confidently to the future and make the most ambitious plans.
And above all victories, the president loves beautiful, attacking football. For him, a win without spectacular, meaningful football has no value. In his view, it is better to lose while playing attractive football than to win without putting on an entertaining display. And this is what fundamentally sets Rinat Akhmetov apart from many other club owners.
The president loves Shakhtar with all his heart, knows how to make the club even stronger and invests in building the best Shakhtar in the club’s history. And most importantly, Rinat Akhmetov believes in Shakhtar’s future victories in a free, independent, democratic and prosperous Ukraine.
We congratulate the president on his milestone birthday and, above all, wish him peace as soon as possible and good health, boundless strength and energy to successfully fulfil all his plans and reach new heights, and above all, unforgettable emotions from Shakhtar’s games and victories!
But for Rinat Akhmetov, victories are not limited to the football pitch. The president believes that Shakhtar achieves its greatest victories when they help people. Charity, helping children, supporting Ukraine’s defenders and their families and humanitarian work are important elements of Mr Akhmetov’s life philosophy. For more than two decades, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has been helping those who need it most. Since 2014, the Humanitarian Headquarters, founded by the president of Shakhtar FC, has saved thousands of lives. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Rinat Akhmetov has allocated more than UAH 14.6 billion to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilians.
For Rinat Akhmetov, however, the greatest victory in football remains the genuine love of the fans and the respect of Shakhtar from their opponents. Today, millions of people know, value and respect the team not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and around the world. This is the most important indicator of the path the club has taken during Rinat Akhmetov’s presidency. And this has been made possible by the president’s hard work, unwavering belief in Shakhtar and boundless love for the team.
Throughout all 30 of these years, Rinat Akhmetov has always been by Shakhtar’s side. No matter how difficult things are for the club or what challenges the team face, the president supports Shakhtar with all his strength and does everything possible to make the club even more successful. The president always thinks about the future: for him, every next victory is more important than the previous one, every next title is more valuable than all those that came before – and this is how he motivates and leads the way. It is thanks to Rinat Akhmetov’s vision and determination that Shakhtar looks confidently to the future and make the most ambitious plans.
And above all victories, the president loves beautiful, attacking football. For him, a win without spectacular, meaningful football has no value. In his view, it is better to lose while playing attractive football than to win without putting on an entertaining display. And this is what fundamentally sets Rinat Akhmetov apart from many other club owners.
The president loves Shakhtar with all his heart, knows how to make the club even stronger and invests in building the best Shakhtar in the club’s history. And most importantly, Rinat Akhmetov believes in Shakhtar’s future victories in a free, independent, democratic and prosperous Ukraine.
We congratulate the president on his milestone birthday and, above all, wish him peace as soon as possible and good health, boundless strength and energy to successfully fulfil all his plans and reach new heights, and above all, unforgettable emotions from Shakhtar’s games and victories!