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Football is truly “the beautiful game.” It brings people together and inspires like nothing else. Growing up in Nigeria in the ‘90s, many faced tough times, but football was an escape.  

European football was popular then, but not as much as it is today. Back then, we focused more on our national team and local leagues. In 1994, the Nigeria national football team won the AFCON and climbed to 5th in the FIFA rankings. That same year, they made their first World Cup appearance, making it past the group stage with wins over Greece and the eventual third-place team, Bulgaria.  

For many of that generation, this moment sparked that feeling of pure love for the game, a passion as intense as any love story.  

Here are some of the best football memories from that period, up until now; through my eyes. 

**The Dream Team Wins Gold At The Olympics**

Nigeria’s Dream Team etched their names in history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by clinching the gold medal in men’s football, a remarkable feat for African football. Guided by coach Jo Bonfrère, the team exemplified exceptional skill, resilience, and most important, unity throughout the tournament. In the quarterfinals, Nigeria defeated a tough Mexico side 2-0, thanks to goals from Jay-Jay Okocha and Celestine Babayaro. The semifinal clash against Brazil was nothing short of thrilling, as Nigeria, down 3-1 late in the game, staged a remarkable comeback to clinch a 4-3 victory featuring a Nwankwo Kanu 90th minute equaliser and an unforgettable golden goal in extra time from the former Arsenal man. 

The ultimate showdown saw Nigeria facing off against Argentina. A very condescending Argentina team, I might add. Despite trailing on two occasions, the Dream Team’s tough resilience saw them stage comebacks on each occasion, thanks to Celestine Babayaro and Daniel Amokachi finding the net to level the score. The hero for the final was Emmanuel Amuneke who sealed the deal with a decisive goal in the 90th minute, securing a 3-2 win and the Gold medal. For a moment there, this very divided country had something to unify us. Nigeria has won multiple male and female AFCON tournaments and junior World Cups, but this victory in Atlanta stands as the country’s finest hour in football.  

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**Manchester United Completes The Treble**

Over the last 15 years, we’ve seen many European teams win the treble. Inter did it in 2010, Bayern Munich achieved it twice in 2013 and 2020, and Pep Guardiola’s Man City claimed it just last year. Barcelona also won it twice—first with Pep in 2009 and then with Luis Enrique in 2015. However, treble wins weren’t always so common. Celtic (1967), Ajax (1972), and PSV (1988) were the only teams to do it for a long time, making Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble with Manchester United in 1999 extra special.  

The match to secure the treble was as dramatic as it gets. United were down 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the final as the clock hit 90 minutes. Bayern had dominated, and it seemed they’d hold on through the two minutes of added time. But then, a miracle happened. United’s substitute, Teddy Sheringham, who had scored just four goals all season, equalised after a failed Bayern clearance. Seconds later, another substitute, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scored the winner. The stadium erupted—half in tears of joy and the other half in heartbreak. It was an unforgettable comeback. A few months later, Sir Alex Ferguson was knighted by the Queen. 

**Zinedine Zidane’s Sublime Volley Wins the Champions League**

The Shawshank Redemption. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The Taj Mahal. Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The first 5 seasons of Game of Thrones. These are all timeless works of art. Permit me to throw in one more - Zinedine Zidane’s game-winning volley in the 2002 Champions League final.  

With the match tied at 1-1 between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, the clock ticked towards halftime. Roberto Carlos, with his trademark energy, surged down the left flank and lofted a high, looping cross to the edge of the penalty area. There, Zidane waited like a hunter waiting for his prey. In 1998, we had seen him win the World Cup for France with two headers in the final. We had also seen him put on a masterclass at the 2000 EURO where France became Champions of Europe. We were used to special moments from him. But, as time froze, you just had that feeling something special was about to happen.  

As the ball descended from the night sky, Zidane executed a flawless left-footed volley. The connection was pure, sending the ball soaring into the top corner of the net. The strike was a perfect blend of timing, technique, and audacity, leaving goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt stranded. Zidane’s goal was not just a decisive moment, but a piece of sporting art, a quick instance where skill met inspiration. It crowned Real Madrid champions and remains one of the most beautiful and iconic goals in football history. With Real Madrid back in the Champions League final this year, check out our bet offers and take advantage of our Bet Builder feature to get maximum value for your money.  

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**The Istanbul Comeback**

Dida. Cafu. Stam. Nesta. Maldini. Pirlo. Gattuso. Seedorf. Kaka. Shevchenko. Crespo. These were the names on Milan’s starting lineup in the 2005 Champions League final against Liverpool. Even more intimidating, they were led by Carlo Ancelotti. The gulf in class between the teams was huge, and if BetKing had been around then, one of our betting tips would have been an easy win for Milan. Milan were 3-0 up at halftime, with Paolo Maldini scoring in the first minute. As the night went on, you had that feeling things would only get worse for Liverpool. However, you would have been terribly wrong.  

In a stunning turn of events, it was 3-3 by the 61st minute, thanks to three quick goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso. Liverpool came out swinging in the second half, exploiting Milan’s complacency. It was, and still is, the greatest comeback in Champions League history. The game went to penalties, where a shaky Milan team missed 3 of their 5 shots, and Jerzy Dudek’s legendary antics made the difference. Milan would get their revenge in 2007 with a 2-1 win over Liverpool in the final, but the Reds will always have 2005.  

**Flares Rain Down At The Derby della Madonnina.**

The comeback at Istanbul was an unforgettable moment for football, but so was this moment a few weeks prior. Bitter rivals and neighbours, Inter and Milan met for the first time in Champions League history with Milan winning the first leg 2-0. In the return leg a week later, Andriy Shevchenko gave Milan a crucial “away” goal in the first half, handing them a 3-0 lead on aggregate. In the second half, Esteban Cambiasso scored what he thought was an equaliser for Inter on the night, but German referee Markus Merk disallowed it. Let’s just say, this didn’t go down well with the Inter fans.  

Debris rained down from the stands at the San Siro and so did the flares, as four flew into the Milan penalty area before another, thrown from the upper decks, hit Milan goalkeeper Dida on the back of the head. The game was halted for almost half an hour as firefighters put out the flares. Dida was replaced by Christian Abbiati, but less than a minute after the game was restarted, another hail of debris and flares saw Merk stop the game for good. Milan was awarded an automatic 3-0 win as Inter was forced to forfeit the game. The picture of Inter’s Marco Materazzi and Milan’s Rui Costa leaning on each other while watching the chaos unfold remains one of the most popular football photos.  

**A Standing Ovation For Ronaldinho At The Bernabeu**

November 19, 2005, is a date that will never be forgotten in El Clasico history. Valencia had won the league the previous season and the El Clasico rivals were looking to get their hands back on the trophy. Barcelona won this game 3-0, with former Real player Samuel Eto’o opening the scoring for the visitors. It was a key win for the Catalans who would become La Liga winners that season. However, the true story came in the second half. Ronaldinho took control of the game with his exceptional skill, flair, and creativity, leaving the Madrid defense in shambles every time he had the ball. At one point, Ronaldinho received the ball near the halfway line and embarked on a dazzling run down the left flank, bypassing multiple defenders with quick footwork and body feints, before coolly finishing past Iker Casillas. The goal was a masterpiece of pace, precision, and finesse, showcasing Ronaldinho’s extraordinary talent.  

His second goal was equally mesmerising, picking up the ball on the left side again, and weaving through the Real Madrid defense with apparent ease. The Santiago Bernabéu, known for its passionate and often critical fans, responded in an unprecedented manner. Recognizing the sheer genius of Ronaldinho’s performance, the Real Madrid supporters stood up and applauded him—a rare gesture of respect for an opponent. This ovation was a testament to that feeling that a player’s magical display can sometimes transcend club rivalries through the universal language of football artistry. 

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**The Gunners’ Invincible Season**

Arsenal’s undefeated streak during the 2003/04 Premier League season stands out as one of football’s most remarkable accomplishments. Under the guidance of Arsène Wenger, the team, famously dubbed “The Invincibles,” showcased an exceptional blend of… look, I can throw out a bunch of words like “skill”, “flair”, “magic” but this was just mental toughness. That’s what it was; elite mentality.  

Led by captain Patrick Vieira and superstars like Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal navigated the rigorous 38-game season without a single loss. They won 26 matches and drew 12, accruing 90 points, a remarkable 11 points ahead of second-placed Chelsea. This achievement marked the first instance since Preston North End in 1889 that a team remained undefeated throughout a top-flight English league season. Arsenal’s invincible status cemented their legacy in football history, earning them admiration and respect from fans and pundits worldwide. Like their proud fans are always quick to point out: “Yeah, you have a Premier League trophy, but is yours gold?” 

**“Aguerrrrroooooooooooo!!!”**

Sergio Aguero is probably the only footballer whose name, when drawn out, instantly takes you back to 2012. In the 2011/12 season, after years of massive investments, Manchester City was finally on the verge of winning their first Premier League title. They had leapfrogged their neighbours, Manchester United, on the league standings weeks before and held their fate in their own hands heading into the last day of the season. Managed by Roberto Mancini then, they just needed a win to seal the deal. However, they trailed 2-1 at home to QPR after 90 minutes. Wahala.

With Manchester United having already secured a win against Sunderland, it was shaping up to be a monumental choke. But then, Edin Dzeko gave City hope with a 92nd-minute equaliser, and Sergio Aguero sent the stadium into chaos with his iconic winning goal in the 94th minute. This moment inspired Martin Tyler’s legendary “Aguueeerrrrroooooo!!!” call, marking the beginning of Manchester City’s era of dominance in English football. Even for neutrals, it’s hard to shake off that feeling that something magical just happened.   

**Lionel Messi Completes Football In Qatar**

Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph in Qatar is an important part of his legacy, as the man himself would tell you. At the club level, he had achieved enormous success with two trebles with Barcelona (amongst other feats), and seven Ballon d’Or awards. People around the world called him “the GOAT”, but his status was different in Argentina. In Argentina, a proud footballing nation, success with the national team held paramount importance. In their eyes, Diego Maradona remained the greatest, having led them to World Cup glory in Mexico 1986—an opinion shared by Messi himself.  

Lionel Messi had come close to winning titles with Argentina on many occasions, but he always fell short right at the finish line. He lost the 2014 World Cup final and lost two Copa America finals, the second of which prompted a temporary retirement born out of frustration. So, it was a moment of pure glory when he guided Argentina to Copa America triumph in 2021, followed by lifting the World Cup in 2022. This victory not only solidified Messi’s status as the greatest of all time but also brought immense joy and pride to Argentina, marking an unforgettable milestone in the nation’s footballing history. Oh, and he won his 8th Ballon d’Or award. 

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Ahead of the UCL final this weekend, we examine some of football's best moments with one thing in mind - can a similar moment happen again this weekend?

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Best Football Moments of All Time

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● Bet on the Bernabeu rising (to celebrate) a Madrid victory in the UCL final