Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Part 1)

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3 Apr 2024

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Part 1)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, born on January 21, 1989, is an Armenian professional footballer renowned for his versatility and creative abilities on the field. Over the course of his career, he has played for several prominent clubs across Europe.
Mkhitaryan began his professional journey with Pyunik in Armenia, where he won four Armenian Premier League titles before making a move to Metalurh Donetsk in 2009. His talent quickly attracted attention, leading him to join city rivals Shakhtar Donetsk in 2010 for a fee of 6.1 million. During his time at Shakhtar, Mkhitaryan made a significant impact, setting the league goalscoring record during the 2012–13 season and earning the title of the league Footballer of the Year. Additionally, he secured three domestic doubles with the club.

Mkhitaryan made a high profile transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, where he further showcased his skill set. He won the DFL-Supercup in 2014 and led the Bundesliga in assists during the following season, solidifying his reputation as a top playmaker in European football.
His impressive performances caught the attention of Manchester United, who signed him for a reported fee of 30 million. Mkhitaryan became the first Armenian to play in the Premier League and enjoyed success with the club, winning the FA Community Shield and playing a pivotal role in securing the UEFA Europa League title.

Mkhitaryan made a move to Arsenal as part of a swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez. He continued to make significant contributions on the field before joining Serie A club Roma on an initial loan, which was later made permanent in 2020.
On the international stage, Mkhitaryan represented Armenia from 2007 until his retirement in 2022. He holds the distinction of being Armenia all time leading goalscorer, with 32 goals in 95 appearances. Mkhitaryan has been honored numerous times for his achievements, winning the Armenian Footballer of the Year award ten times and being named the CIS Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2013. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers to emerge from Armenia, making significant contributions both domestically and internationally throughout his career.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan upbringing and early life were marked by the influence of his father, Hamlet Mkhitaryan, a former prominent footballer for FC Ararat Yerevan in the 1980s. Unfortunately, Hamlet passed away from a brain tumor when Henrikh was just seven years old, leaving a profound impact on him. Henrikh often reflects on how different things might have been if his father were still alive, cherishing the memories and advice he received from him.
The Mkhitaryan family, including Henrikh, his mother Marina Taschyan, and his elder sister Monica, moved to France in the early 1990s, where his father played for ASOA Valence. It was during this time that Henrikh's passion for football began to flourish as he followed in his father's footsteps. Despite the family's return to Yerevan in 1995, Henrikh's determination to pursue a career in football remained steadfast.

Henrikh joined the youth system of FC Pyunik in 1995 and continued to hone his skills in football while also pursuing his education. He studied economics at the Yerevan branch of the St. Petersburg Institute while simultaneously graduating from the Institute of Physical Culture in Armenia. Despite his academic pursuits, his passion for football remained unwavering.
In pursuit of his dream, Henrikh had trials with Sao Paulo in Brazil at the age of 14, where he had the opportunity to train alongside renowned players such as Hernanes and Oscar. Although the experience was invaluable, he ultimately returned to Pyunik in 2004 at the insistence of manager Mihai Stoichita.
Throughout his journey, Henrikh looked up to football legends like Zinedine Zidane, whose style and skill greatly inspired him. His dedication and talent eventually led him to become one of the most successful Armenian footballers of all time, making significant contributions both domestically and internationally.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan early career at FC Pyunik was marked by remarkable success and rapid progression. Joining the club's youth system in 1995, he demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, earning his first salary at the age of just 15. His hard work paid off when he was promoted to the first team, making his professional debut at the age of 17 in 2006.

During his time with FC Pyunik first team, Mkhitaryan made significant contributions to the club's success, helping them secure four Armenian Premier League titles consecutively from 2006 to 2009. Additionally, he played a key role in winning the Armenian Supercup twice in 2007 and 2009, as well as the Armenian Cup in 2009.

Mkhitaryan outstanding performances on the field caught the attention of fans and coaches alike, with Vardan Minasyan, head coach of both the Armenia national football team and Pyunik, acknowledging his exceptional talent. Minasyan expressed his admiration for Mkhitaryan ability to influence games and praised his knack for scoring crucial goals.
Recognizing Mkhitaryan's potential to thrive in a more competitive league, Minasyan voiced his support for the young star's aspirations to play at a higher level. Mkhitaryan impressive goal-scoring record and game-changing abilities made him a standout player, earning him praise and admiration from teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

In light of his remarkable performances in the Armenian Premier League, Mkhitaryan talents were soon noticed by clubs outside of Armenia. As a result, he made a significant move to Ukrainian Premier League club Metalurh Donetsk in 2009, marking the next step in his professional career.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan tenure at Metalurh Donetsk began in 2009, where he quickly made an impact with his goal-scoring prowess. He made his debut for the club on 16 July 2009, scoring a goal in a 3–0 victory against FC Partizan Minsk in the Europa League. Just three days later, on 19 July 2009, he made his league debut in a 0–0 draw with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.