Steve McManaman Recalls that Iconic Zinedine Zidane Goal in the 2002 Champions League Final

Originally posted on BenchWarmers | By Neville O'Donoghue | Last updated 5/24/22

We go back to the Champions League final 2002 at Hampden Park the home of Scottish football where Bayern Leverkusen took on the Spanish giants Real Madrid and the great French midfielder and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane scored one of the most iconic goals ever seen in a Champions League final.

The French international was 29 and at the peak of his immense powers, and he was an attacking feature in a team that included Roberto Carlos, Raul, Luis Figo and Fernando Morientes.

Raul had opened the scoring for Real in the eighth minute only to see that lead wiped out just five minutes later through Lucio.

Enter Zidane, who stepped up to fire home a stunning left-foot volley just before half-time for what proved to be the winner to secure Madrid’s third title in five years at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

When the ball eventually came down from the heavens, Zidane was poised underneath, ready to make the most of the situation. And, while most players would not have taken on a first-time volley, let alone execute the skill with such devastating perfection, Zidane knew immediately that was what was needed.

Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman was on the pitch that day and remembers it very well.

In the video below Steve McManaman discusses with Betway Insider:

What that Real Madrid dressing room was like
Why Zidane took a while to settle in at the club
The brilliance of that goal in the 2002 final

“Yeah, it didn’t surprise me; you don’t want to sound arrogant but you know I had faith in him doing that.

“It was as if he scored and the weight of the world fell off his shoulders and he could sort of really, really enjoy himself.”

Will we ever see the French man back in management again, what a job he did with the Spanish giants Real Madrid when he was there for the best part of four years. The French man won three Champions League, but was helped with a group of extremely talented players led by one of the all time greats in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Can Real Madrid add another Champions League to their name next weekend as they take on Liverpool in Paris on Saturday evening? It’s going to be a cracker with two great mangers in Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti going head to head. The former Everton manager will want to beat Jurgen Klopp and his men and I’m sure the whole of Everton will be shouting on Real Madrid..

This article first appeared on BenchWarmers and was syndicated with permission.

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