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Football is an intense team sport that pits two groups of 11 players against each other and leaves them to fight for pride, prestige and honor. With both sides sharing a common goal of earning the bragging rights, they deploy their very best footballers on every area of the pitch. These players work together as a team, giving their all to ensure that victory is achieved.
There's a popular saying that there's no 'I' in teamwork. This is very true in a sport such as football, which places emphasis on the group's collective output rather than individual brilliance. To win a match, every member of the team must be at their best, as the slightest weakness from any angle could end up spoiling the party.
That said, there are situations where football teams need an almost magical intervention from an individual player in order to triumph. Over the years, this has presented massive opportunities for a number of legendary footballers. They've stepped up to create immortal memories with their iconic performances.
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With that in mind, here's a look at 10 of the greatest individual performances in football history:
#10 Xavi Hernandez vs. Real Madrid (2009)
Xavi Hernandez staged one of the most beautiful performances in El Clasico history when Barcelona traveled to Real Madrid for a La Liga clash on May 2, 2009. Despite the level of intensity that always accompanies this fixture, the Spaniard made it look very easy for his side.
He was in beast mode at the Santiago Bernabeu, tormenting Los Blancos with his astute passing, ball retention, vision and creativity. The thrilling encounter ended with Barcelona recording one of their biggest victories. The scoreline read 6-2, with Xavi setting up four of those goals.
#9 Gareth Bale vs. Inter Milan (2010)
Gareth Bale was still at Tottenham Hotspur when they went up against Inter Milan in a vital Champions League clash during the 2009-2010 campaign.
Spurs found themselves in a pathetic situation at the San Siro, going 4-0 down and having one of their players sent off after just 35 minutes. When everyone thought all hope was lost, Bale had other ideas. The Welshman stepped up and bagged a hat-trick in the second half. Though it wasn't enough to secure victory, the match will be remembered as the one which announced Bale to the world.
#7 Lionel Messi vs. Arsenal (2010)
After drawing the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Arsenal in 2010, Barcelona approached the return leg under a lot of pressure. Initially, the situation looked bleak for Blaugrana as the Gunners drew first blood through a Nicklas Bendtner strike. But a man named Lionel Messi would later intervene and single-handedly turn the tie on its head.
The Argentine proved too much for the visitors to handle, with his unbelievable talent on display every time he kicked the ball. Messi finished the game with a whopping four goals to his name. His efforts helped Barca edge past the Gunners to seal their passage into the semifinals for a second consecutive year.
#7 Zinedine Zidane vs. Brazil (2006)
It wouldn't be far-fetched to name Zinedine Zidane as Brazil's biggest nemesis. Eight years after tormenting the South Americans in the 1998 World Cup final, the Frenchman returned to produce another classic performance against the Selecao in the quarterfinals of the 2006 edition.
Zidane was a constant threat to Brazil throughout the encounter, teasing and tormenting them with ease. He was pulling off incredible tricks, dribbling without limits and controlling the game like it was being played in his backyard. The spectacle delighted the spectators, who applauded every move he made over those 90 minutes.
The legendary attacking midfielder would end up playing a decisive role in France's victory. He found an unmarked Thierry Henry with a beautiful cross which the striker sent into the back of the net to record the only goal of the game.
#6. Steven Gerrard vs. West Ham (2006)
Steven Gerrard produced arguably the greatest individual performance ever witnessed in the history of the FA Cup when Liverpool met West Ham in the 2006 final.
The Reds surprisingly fell 2-0 down and were in need of a miracle to get back into the game. That was when Gerrard set Djibril Cisse up with an incredible 40-yard pass to pull one back before leveling matters with a spectacular 54th-minute volley.
Liverpool found themselves in more trouble as Paul Konchesky restored West Ham's lead in the 64th minute. But Gerrard stepped up at the death to send the game into extra-time with a perfect strike in the 90th minute.
The match ended in a shootout as neither team found the back of the net in extra-time. Gerrard was there once again to ensure his side went home with the trophy, scoring from the spot as the Reds earned a 3-1 victory in the shootout.
#5 Lionel Messi vs. Bayern Munich (2015)
The first leg of the 2014-15 Champions League semifinal proved to be an intense encounter between Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Both teams put up a solid display at Camp Nou. The game looked destined for a goalless draw as neither team failed to break the deadlock even after 75 minutes.
However, Messi had other ideas. He ran riot in the last 15 minutes of the match to earn a vital victory for his side. The Argentine broke the deadlock in the 77th minute with a brilliant shot from outside the box. He added a second with a humiliating nutmeg on Jerome Boateng before beating a helpless Manuel Neuer to double the lead.
The attacker influenced the match again during injury time. He sent a sensational pass to set up Neymar and ensure Barcelona came out on top with three goals to nil.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Atletico Madrid (2019)
After losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their 2019 Champions League round-of-16 clash in Spain, Juventus welcomed Rojiblancos to the Allianz Stadium for the reverse fixture on March 12. They placed their hopes on their talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo for a miraculous intervention, and the Portuguese didn't disappoint.
The attacker started threatening the opposition defense immediately after kick-off. He pulled one back in the 27th minute and leveled matters shortly after the restart. Ronaldo ensured the Old Lady advanced to the next round of the tournament by adding another from the spot to complete a historic hat-trick in Turin.
#3 Roy Keane vs. Juventus (1999)
Manchester United were on the verge of reaching the 1999 Champions League final for the first time since 1968 when they took on Juventus in the semifinals. After playing a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the Red Devils traveled to Italy for the reverse fixture. They were soon startled as they conceded two goals within the opening 11 minutes of the game.
The Premier League giants needed a magician and up stepped Roy Keane. The midfielder turned the game into a show, dictating the proceedings and leaving Juventus players chasing the dust. Keane scored Manchester United's first goal of the game. Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole also found the back of the net to earn the Red Devils an unbelievable 3-2 victory in Turin.
#2 Ronaldinho vs. Real Madrid (2005)
El Clasico clashes between Barcelona and Real Madrid are known for intensity, collisions and hostility, as fans from both sides come out to throw their support behind their teams. However, one man was able to make his opposition fans forget about the rivalry for a brief moment and appreciate greatness - Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian put up one of the most scintillating performances in history as Barcelona traveled to the Santiago Bernabeu for a league game in November 2005. Ronnie tormented Los Blancos' defense and scored two brilliant goals that night.
His every trick, dribble and pass was met with cheers from supporters of both clubs. Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat on their home turf, Real Madrid fans couldn't help but give a standing ovation to the man who orchestrated their humiliation.
#1 Diego Maradona vs. England (1986)
Argentina and England locked horns in the semifinals of the 1986 World Cup. With the whole world watching, Diego Maradona produced a performance that will be remembered forever. It was one of the greatest highlights of the prestigious tournament.
Following a hard-fought first half, the Argentine took matters into his own hands immediately after the restart. In the 51st minute, the attacking midfielder made a run into the opposition area looking for a one-two, only for England's Steve Hodge to provide a return pass. Peter Shilton rushed out to punch the ball but Maradona's hand got there first and the rest is history.
The Argentine returned to rub more salt on England's wounds four minutes later, scoring arguably the most beautiful goal in history. Maradona received the ball in his own half and dribbled past a host of English defenders before sending it into the back of the net.
Although Gary Lineker pulled one back for the Europeans, it was nothing more than a consolation prize. Argentina made it to the final of the tournament and eventually won it.
