Every UEFA Champions League Final Ranked From Worst To Best
4. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (2002)
All eyes were on Zinedine Zidane at Hampden Park in 2002. The Frenchman had joined Real Madrid from Juventus for a world-record £46.6m fee.
But after falling short in La Liga, the pressure was on the ‘Galácticos’ and Zidane to bring home the trophy Real have won more than any other club side. Would they be up to the task? Was Zidane worth that kind of fee? Both questions would be answered in resounding fashion.
It was another player, Raul, who gave them an early lead against surprise package Bayer Leverkusen. The German side had knocked out Liverpool and Manchester United on their way to the final and were no pushovers here, levelling five minutes later through Lucio.
That was how it stayed until the 45 minute mark, when Zidane stepped up to score arguably the greatest goal in Champions League final history.
Receiving a high, arcing cross from Roberto Carlos on the edge of the Leverkusen area, Zizou struck the ball first time, volleying home with his weaker left foot to set the stadium into raptures.
Leverkusen pushed for an equaliser in the second half and looked to have gained an advantage when Madrid’s first-choice shot-stopper, César, was forced off through injury. What they weren’t counting on, however, was his replacement, 20-year-old Iker Casillas, being even better.
Despite a few dramatic late chances, Real held on for the win and Zidane had his moment. A classic.