Andrey Shevchenko, the former star of the Ukrainian national team, said that he will use his fame to reveal the truth of the Russian war on his country to the world and intensify efforts to collect humanitarian aid for the victims of the crisis.
Shevchenko, one of Ukraine's greatest players and former coach of the national team, added that he was shocked in the first two days after the war, which Moscow describes as a "special military operation".
"But I quickly thought about how best to help my country," he told The Times. "I decided the best way was to use my platform and speak out and tell people the truth about what was going on and increase humanitarian aid."
Shevchenko told the newspaper that he plans to host two families of Ukrainian refugees in his home in England.
"I have the ability to host refugees in my house, so why shouldn't I do that? These people have nothing, and the world must help now," said Shevchenko, 45.
"The response from all over the world has been great, but the situation is getting worse. More people are dying, so we all need to do more, and we have to do it now," he added.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said about 10 million people have been displaced by the war.
Shevchenko launched an initiative in which he hopes to raise two million pounds ($2.64 million) initially to help those affected.
Donations totaled nearly £294,000 on Tuesday.