An angry message about Vladimir Putin appeared on the Instagram account of Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Zinchenko, who plays for the Ukraine national team and has captained them on three occasions among his 48 caps, has made his feelings known this week as Russia positioned their military around his country ahead of an invasion overnight.
Yesterday, Zinchenko posted a defiant message in support of Ukraine saying 'no one will ever be able to appropriate' its borders.
He said: "The whole civilized world is worried about the situation in my country. I can't stay away and try to convey my opinion. In the photo - my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colors I defend in the international sports arena. A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable.
"My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine."
Overnight, Putin ordered Russian forces to begin a 'military operation' in Ukraine, with explosions heard in Kyiv and other major cities, prompting thousands to try to flee the country.
Now, a post has appeared on Zinchenko's Instagram with a picture of Putin saying: "I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature," as spotted and translated by Twitter account Zorya Londonsk.
The post on Zinchenko's account was quickly deleted, but the defender has shared another image from a separate user who said: "If you are Russian and do not speak up now, then you will be an enemy for us forever."
Zorya Londonsk added that Zinchenko confirmed to them that the post regarding Putin was deleted by Instagram and not by himself.
Pep Guardiola said earlier this month that he hadn't spoken to Zinchenko about the threat of war, but added he would raise the subject.
He said: "We will [speak about Ukraine] for sure, but we haven't yet because we have had just three or four days together and before that he had an injury and we were focused on that."
"The fact this kind of thing happens in the 21st century is depressing. It is difficult to accept it. I will speak to Oleks he knows the situation much better than I do.”
