Now that the UEFA Champions League is upon us once again, we have been thinking about some of the best sports pictures of all time in the world of football. The Champions League is always exciting for football fans to see a clash of the titans, as the cream of the crop go head to head and we wait with bated breath to see who will emerge victorious. Some of the most famous football photos of all time have been captured at the Champions League matches. Here, we reminisce on some of the most iconic football photos in the UEFA Champions League History.
1. 1996 UEFA Champions League Final – The White Feather goes wild
The tense match finished at Juventus 1 – Ajax 1. After extra time, Juventus won 4-2 on penalties. Fans were ecstatic – but not as ecstatic as Fabrizio Ravanelli of Juventus who was so excited he had to be held back by five teammates!
2. 1996 UEFA Champions League Final – Pietro Vierchowod goes flying
Some fans are still upset over the heated competition between Juventus and Ajax in the 1996 Champions League Final. No matter your feeling about the outcome, you cannot deny the brilliance of Pietro Vierchowod demonstrates exquisite technique while flying the unfortunate huddle of Juventus and Ajax players in the iconic sports photo.
3. 1999 UEFA Champions League Final – Ole Gunnar Solskjær does it
Man Utd fans will never forget Ole Gunnar Solskjær clinching the winning goal into injury time, taking Manchester United into victory over Bayern Munich 2-1.
4. 2002 – Real Madrid vs .Leverkusen- Zinedine Zidane’s high kick
When we think of impressive UEFA images, Zinedine Zidane’s iconic yet hilarious volley against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park in 2002 comes to mind.
5. 2004 – Deportivo vs. A.C. Milan – Deportivo makes a comeback
Deportivo performed the biggest turnaround in the Champions League at that time when they beat A.C. Milan 4–0 after losing the first leg 4–1 in 2004. The photos of Deportivo celebrating after tearing Milan A.C. to shreds show what pure happiness looks like.
6. 2007 UEFA Champions League Final – Kaka rejoices
It was the bitter taste of defeat for Liverpool when they narrowly lost to A.C. Milan 1-2. The photo of AC Milan’s Brazilian midfielder Kaka falling down to his knees in gratitude in front of disappointed midfielder Steven Gerrard sums it all up in an image.
7. 2008 – Manchester United vs Chelsea – Terry falls down
John Terry had the perfect opportunity to score the winning penalty in the 2008 Champions League final, but the ex-Chelsea captain was lost his chance in Moscow. Terry slipped running up, and his spot-kick hit the post before Manchester United beat them. The photo of Terry falling on his backside is unfortunate but one of the most memorable football photos.
8. 2008 UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester United rejoice
One of the photographic highlights of the 2008 Champions League Final for Manchester United fans will be Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand drowned in gold tinsel after beating Chelsea in Moscow.
9. 2009 UEFA Champions League Final – Messi scores!
Fans applauded as Messi scored the second goal for Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome – and they have the picture of him running shoe in hand to prove it.
10. 2011 UEFA Champions League Final – Pep Guardiola tossed in the air
Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Manchester United is still a sore point for Man-U fans. Barcelona fans, however, will look back fondly at the joyous photo of Pep Guardiola being tossed in the air after Barcelona’s victory.
11. 2012 UEFA Champions League Final – Drogba’s header
When you think of iconic football photos, this makes the cut. The 2012 UEFA Champions League Final match between Bayern Munich of Germany and Chelsea of England at the Allianz Arena was intense. Didier Drogba will forever be remembered in history as the man of the hour thanks to the photo where he slams a near-post header in the 88th minute to keep Chelsea in the game.
12. 2014 UEFA Champions League Final – Ronaldo cheers
The iconic image of Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating his victory with Angel De Maria on his knees behind him encapsulated exactly how Real Madrid fans felt after the brutal 4-1 defeat of Atletico, in Lisbon.
13. 2015 UEFA Champions League Final – Pique takes home a souvenir
Fans will never forget the hilarious yet endearing moment when Gerard Pique of Barcelona cut down the net to take home as a souvenir from Barcelona’s stunning victory over Juventus in Berlin.
14. 2016 UEFA Champions League Final – A vision in white
A tear will come to the eye of even the toughest Real Madrid fan looking at the photo of Sergio Ramos lifting the Champions League trophy after beating Club Atletico de Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, and white confetti showers down on them from the heavens.
15. 2017 – FC Barcelona – Paris Saint-Germain F.C. – Roberto scores his 6th goal
This match is known as ‘La Remontada’ or ‘the comeback’ for a reason. Barcelona’s astounding 6–1 victory over Paris Saint-German let them overturn a 4–0 loss in the first leg of the Champion’s League. Barcelona players and fans alike were stunned as Sergio Roberto achieved the impossible and scored the sixth goal for Barcelona, making the best comeback.
We hope you enjoyed reminiscing on these iconic football moments caught on film.
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