GOALS GALORE

THE BIGGEST CLUB COMPETITION IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN THE STAGE FOR SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC AND MEMORABLE GOALS IN FOOTBALL HISTORY

- By Dylan Appolis

DEJAN STANKOVIĆ

Inter Milan vs Schalke 04 (2010/11)

Dejan Stankovic’s volley from the centre circle to beat Manuel Neuer remains one of the most iconic goals in the Champions League. Neuer, who then played for Schalke, came rushing off his line to produce a diving header to clear the ball from the edge of the area. Unfortunately for him, the ball flew straight to Serbian midfielder Stankovic (right), who hit the ball first time on the volley to find an empty net from the halfway line.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Real Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen (2001/02)

Zinedine Zidane scored one of the greatest goals in a Champions League final, which is still watched over and over till this day. The Frenchman latched on to a looping cross from left-back Roberto Carlos to find the top corner with a well-struck volley from just inside the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt and bag the winning goal in their 2–1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001/02 decider.

4 Lionel Messi has won the UEFA Champions League Goal of the Year award four times, the only player to claim it more than once. His last win was in the 2022/23 season while playing for Paris St Germain.

GARETH BALE

Real Madrid vs Liverpool (2017/18)

Football lovers will remember Gareth Bale’s iconic bicycle-kick against Liverpool in the 2018 final for years to come. The Welshman came on as a substitute just after the hour mark but made an instant impact when he netted a spectacular acrobatic effort to finish off a cross by Marcelo. Bale went on to complete his brace as Real Madrid became the first team to win three back-to-back titles in the Champions League era.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Real Madrid vs Juventus (2017/18)