THE Champions League never fails to deliver moments of magic.
From Barcelona’s comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 when they overturned a 4-0 deficit to win 6-1 at the Nou Camp to Cristiano Ronaldo’s overhead kick against Juventus in 2018.
It remains the greatest setting for superstars and upcoming talent to announce themselves on the world stage.
Ahead of the return of the highly-anticipated knockout stages, BT Sport have compiled a list of the Champions League’s greatest solo goals ever…
Mesut Ozil vs Ludogorets (2016/17)
The German playmaker scored a dazzling late winner to send Arsenal into the knockout stage.
He was played through on goal before calmly chipping the goalkeeper, feigning a shot to leave two defenders on the turf, and calmly slotting the ball home.
Mesut Ozil scores a brilliant goal against LudogoretsCredit: –
Gareth Bale vs Inter Milan (2010/11)
It is the game that lives long in the memory for Tottenham fans.
Bale was in inspirational form at the San Siro, stepping up to the plate by scoring a second half hat-trick.
But it was his first of the night that was the pick of the bunch – breezing past Maicon and Javier Zanetti before smashing the ball into the corner.
It was all about Gareth Bale at the San SiroCredit: EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Galatasaray (2013/14)
Real Madrid were in ruthless form in Istanbul as they put six past Galatasaray in Group B.
Ronaldo scored a hat-trick but his last was sensational.
He picked the ball up on the left, skipped around the tackles of two players before slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over GalatasarayCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi vs Stuttgart (2009/10)
Barcelona breezed past the German side in the round of 16 with Lionel Messi playing a key role.
One just of his many sensational strikes, he cut in from the left, continued running at the defence before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic against StuttgartCredit: Reuters
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Lyon (2002/03)
A blast from the past as Ajax’s Ibrahimovic got the home crowd on their feet.
He received the ball just inside the box on the left, carrying it to the byline.
A drop of the shoulder to deceive the defender, the Swede then cut inside and rifled a brilliant strike into the corner at an almost impossible angle.
Ibrahimovic got the Ajax fans on their feet against LyonCredit: AFP – Getty
Dimitar Berbatov vs Roma (2004/05)
Back before he was a star in a Manchester United shirt, Bayer Leverkusen’s hotshot scored a stunner against Roma.
With his back to goal, he flipped the ball over the defender’s head before delicately chipping the goalkeeper to eliminate the Italians from the competition.
Dimitar Berbatov showed his usual touch of class against RomaCredit: AFP
George Weah vs Bayern Munich (1994/95)
It is no wonder he won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 with strikes like this.
Weah showed pace and power to skip past two players, cut inside on his right foot and leave Oliver Kahn with no chance with an unbelievable effort.
Kaka vs Man Utd (2006/07)
The Brazilian stunned Old Trafford with a moment of magic in the Champions League semi-final first-leg.
Darren Fletcher failed to deal with a long ball and Kaka took advantage.
He bamboozled Gabriel Heinze, skipped past Patrice Evra and beat Edwin van der Sar.
A brilliant performance from Kaka sunk Manchester UnitedCredit: AP:Associated Press
Thierry Henry vs Real Madrid (2005/06)
When the Arsenal striker picked up the ball on the centre circle, he had just one thought in mind.
He ran at the Real Madrid defence, surging into the box and finishing low into the bottom corner.
The Bernabeu was silenced and Arsenal became the first English side to beat Real in the Spanish capital.
Thierry Henry silenced the Bernabeu with a wonderful solo effortCredit: PA:Press Association
Lionel Messi vs Real Madrid (2010/11)
A timeless classic that will be played for generations saw Lionel Messi produce a piece of brilliance against Barca’s arch rivals.
In their Champions League semi-final, Messi scored one of the iconic goals of his career.
Taking the ball from Sergio Busquets, he broke through midfield, skipped past Sergio Ramos and delicately stuck it in the corner.
It has to be seen to be believed.
Barcelona fans set off fireworks by PSG hotel to stop players sleeping and shout abuse at PSG President before CL clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
