Henrikh Mkhitaryan
An Armenian midfield maestro whose technical brilliance and record-breaking international goals made him a national hero and a European football journeyman.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Armenian footballer·Birthday: January 21·Millennials
Biography
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's story is one of quiet determination and exquisite technique. Born in Yerevan, he honed his skills in Armenia before a transformative move to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, where his creative vision and goal-scoring from midfield caught Europe's eye. His subsequent career became a tour of major leagues, from Borussia Dortmund's high-octane attack to Manchester United's pressure cooker, a stint at Arsenal, and finally a key role in Roma's and Inter Milan's successes. Throughout this continental journey, his commitment to the Armenian national team remained absolute. With a style marked by intelligent movement and precise passing, Mkhitaryan carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, becoming its greatest ever scorer and a symbol of sporting pride far beyond the pitch's confines.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Henrikh was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Henrikh Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Henrikh's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the all-time top goalscorer for the Armenia national team.
- Won the UEFA Europa League with Manchester United in 2017.
- Secured a historic treble (league, cup, super cup) with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2010-11 season.
- Played a pivotal role in Inter Milan's run to the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.
- Named Armenian Footballer of the Year a record nine times.
Did You Know?
He is fluent in seven languages: Armenian, Russian, Portuguese, English, French, German, and Italian.
His father, Hamlet, was also a professional footballer who died of a brain tumor when Henrikh was seven.
Mkhitaryan holds a degree in economics from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture.
He was the first Armenian to score in a UEFA Champions League final, doing so for Inter Milan in 2023.
“I always try to do my best, not for myself, but for the people who believe in me.”
