For the first time since his dramatic exit from Chelsea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Roman Abramovich has finally broken his silence — and the football world is listening closely.
The Russian billionaire, who revolutionized Chelsea Football Club after buying it in 2003 for £140 million, opened up in a rare and emotional interview about his longing to return to Stamford Bridge — not as an owner, but as a fan ready to say a heartfelt goodbye.
During his nearly two-decade reign, Abramovich turned the Blues into a footballing powerhouse, guiding the club to five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, and most notably, two UEFA Champions League trophies — including the unforgettable 2012 triumph and the 2021 glory.
But everything changed in 2022. Amid accusations of ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Abramovich faced sanctions from the UK government and was forced to sell the club. He eventually handed Chelsea over to the Todd Boehly-led consortium in a £2.5 billion deal, pledging that all proceeds go to aid victims of the war in Ukraine — funds which remain frozen in a UK account.
Now, Abramovich says he has no plans to return to football ownership. “Perhaps one day I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more,” he said via the Daily Mail. “I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.”
This marks a bittersweet chapter for Chelsea fans, many of whom still consider him the greatest owner in modern football history.
