They say parting is such sweet sorrow, and it’s surely doubly so when you’re a club legend. Still, having cherished memories of a few important goals has to help make leaving that little bit easier.
There’s nothing quite like seeing your favourite footballer, playing for your no.1 team, blasting the ball into the back of the net.
But what happens when they leave, retire or pick up a career-ending injury? Well, then, at least, we always have the memories, the video evidence that we can replay, over and over again to remind ourselves how lucky we were to see them line out for our club.
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With that, let’s take a look back at five of the most memorable last-ever goals scored by football players synonymous with particular clubs.
#1 Thierry Henry vs. Sunderland
The King of Highbury scored some cracking goals during his unforgettable spell with Arsenal, winning his fair share of trophies and admirers along the way. In all, the Frenchman bagged 228 goals for the Gunners, and he’s still their all-time leading marksman.
Whether it was his outrageous volley against Manchester United back in 2007 that beat Fabien Barthez all ends up, his total of 175 league strikes or the charisma he oozed in possession with silky flicks and panache-laden touches, he wowed audiences no matter what ground he played in across England.
He found his rhythm under manager Arsene Wenger, and the club have never really managed to replace him since he retired – still, his legacy stands tall and fans of the north Londoners know just how lucky they were to have someone of his ilk playing for them at the peak of his powers.
A true club legend, his final strike in an Arsenal shirt arrived back in 2012 against Sunderland – a goal that proved to be a last-gasp winner for his team in his final ever appearance for the club.
Not a bad way for such a great footballer to say goodbye.
#2 Ronaldinho vs. Atletico Madrid, 2008
When it comes to Ronaldinho, it’s fair to say that he will go down as one of the most naturally gifted footballers to ever play the beautiful game.
With Barcelona, he dominated the Spanish and European competitions, producing some of the most scintillating stuff anyone has ever seen. He played with child-like excitement, imbuing joy into the sport whenever he took to the pitch as he “samba’d” his way to greatness and trophies.
His goal against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, his acrobatic effort against Villarreal or any of the rest of his collection of 94 club goals for the Catalan side were each a reminder of his genius.
On this day in 2008, Ronaldinho scored his last goal for Barcelona in a 4-2 defeat against Atlético. [@barcaotd] pic.twitter.com/fkzPwxV4KA
— Catalan Edition (@CatalanEdition) March 1, 2017
He did things with the ball most professionals can only dream of, and he dramatised every moment.
It was fitting, then, that his last-ever strike for the club was such a jaw-dropping one that got people up off their seats, made the crowd roar in a rapturous cacophony of sound and brought dreams to reality.
Arriving against Atletico Madrid, he popped up to stylishly connect with a cross by netting a phenomenal bicycle kick effort past the goalkeeper.
#3 Xavi Hernandez vs. Getafe, 2015
A veritable pass master, Xavi Hernandez had it all – accuracy, passion, vision, greatness.
He made arguably the greatest Barcelona team ever tick with his metronomic passing qualities, the balance he lent their style of play and his reliable presence in the middle of the park.
Winning possession, distributing it rapidly and assuredly across the park, he supplied assists and pre-assists aplenty for the great club. Perhaps his peak arrived in 2009 when the club won six titles – including the FIFA Club World Cup and Supercopa de Espana.
He could chip in with goals, too.
His first goal arrived against Mallorca during the 1998/99 season – a thunderous volley that no ‘keeper could have stopped.
His final goal in a Barcelona career, which last almost a quarter of a century, came against Getafe in a 6-0 thumping, blasting the ball into the top corner from 30 yards out with a curled effort. A fantastic final flourish from one of the best and most consistent players the Blaugrana have ever produced.
The midfield maestro has been a difficult absence to replace ever since he left Barcelona in May 2015.
#4 Alessandro Del Piero vs. Atalanta, 2012
If there is one outfield footballer who embodies the spirit of Juventus, it just has to be Alessandro Del Piero.
In all, he spent 19 years in service to the Old Lady, sticking with them through good times and bad – he famously remained an integral squad member following their demotion to Serie B as a result of the Calciopoli scandal.
Claiming 17 major honours during his career with the club, where he started out at the Primavera side following a move from Padova,his legacy still stands out today.
Their all-time top scorer, Del Piero bagged 290 goals for Juve in 740 matches.
Fittingly, he managed to rattle the back of the net in his final appearance for the club, scoring against Atalanta before being substituted so that he could soak up the adoring cheers and thanks of the fans on a well-deserved lap of honour.
#5 Ryan Giggs vs. Queens Park Rangers, 2013
The all-time record English Premier League appearance holder is a Manchester United legend through and through – he made 963 outings in all competitions for them.
The Welsh star won a toal of 35 major honours with the Red Devils, including a whopping 13 Premier League crowns and two Champions League medals.
His loyalty to the club cannot be questioned. It’s easy to imagine, when his managerial career kickstarts into action once again, that he will return to the Old Trafford dugout in a few years time.
In all, he netted 168 goals for the club (109 in the league), and although he wasn’t their most clinical goalscorer, he could always be relied on to test ‘keepers and score some really important goals – like his famous goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup.
His last goal for United came against Queens Park Rangers at 39 years of age – 22 years after he first struck for them as a teenager. The goal, an accurately hit strike past the approaching ‘keeper Julio Cesar summed up Giggs’ intelligence as he beat the offside trap and opted for placement over power under pressure. Marvellous.
