Santiago Gimenez has made an immediate impact at Milan since his $33 million move from Feyenoord earlier this month during the winter transfer window. The 23-year-old Argentina-born Mexico international wasted no time in settling in, already donning the iconic No. 7 jersey previously worn by legendary striker Andriy Shevchenko at San Siro. With just two games under his belt, Gimenez has already contributed a goal and an assist to his new team. Now, he is gearing up to face his former club, Feyenoord, where he made history as the all-time leading Mexican goal scorer in Eredivisie history with 45 goals, surpassing Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s previous record of 34 goals with PSV Eindhoven.
Although Feyenoord has since bid farewell to head coach Brian Priske, they will be wary of their former star striker returning to haunt them so soon after his departure from De Kuip. As Milan and Feyenoord clash in the UEFA Champions League knockout round playoffs, all eyes will be on Gimenez to see if he can continue his impressive form against his former club.
While Gimenez’s situation is currently in the spotlight, there have been several other memorable instances in the UEFA Champions League where players have scored against their former teams. Here are a few notable examples:
Angel Di Maria (PSG)
The former Argentina international, Angel Di Maria, had some memorable encounters with his former clubs during his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Notably, he provided two assists in a 2-0 victory over Manchester United when he returned to Old Trafford with PSG in 2019. Additionally, in the same year, Di Maria faced Real Madrid and scored twice in a 3-0 win, celebrating without reservation on a memorable night at Parc des Princes.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
The Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, faced his former club, Manchester United, during a round of 16 meeting in the 2012-13 season with Real Madrid. Ronaldo scored in both legs of the tie as Real Madrid advanced, but notably refrained from celebrating his goals at Old Trafford out of respect for his former team.
David Luiz (PSG)
The Brazilian defender, David Luiz, faced his former club Chelsea while playing for PSG in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 during the 2014-15 season. Luiz scored a crucial equalizer for PSG in a 2-2 draw after extra time, eliminating Chelsea on away goals despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s early red card. Luiz’s emotional celebrations against his former and future employers added to the drama of the match.
Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois, on loan at Atletico Madrid in the 2013-14 season, faced his parent club Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals. Courtois kept a clean sheet as Atletico Madrid defeated Chelsea 3-1 over two legs, advancing to the final despite controversy surrounding his eligibility to play against his parent club.
Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
In the 2019-20 Champions League final, Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman, a former PSG player, scored the only goal of the game with a rare header to secure Bayern’s sixth UCL crown. The goal denied PSG their first Champions League title and highlighted the impact of former players scoring against their former clubs.
The 2019-20 Champions League season provided some unforgettable moments, including a historic first instance of a player scoring against their former club in the final. One player who made a significant impact in this regard was Philippe Coutinho during his loan spell with Bayern Munich.
Coutinho, the Brazilian playmaker, was looking to revitalize his career after struggling at Barcelona. His time at Bayern Munich proved to be fruitful as he played a key role in the team’s success. However, it was his performance against Barcelona in the quarterfinals that truly stood out. In a stunning 8-2 victory over the Catalan giants, Coutinho assisted Robert Lewandowski before scoring two late goals to compound Barcelona’s misery. This dominant display not only showcased Coutinho’s talent but also highlighted the embarrassment he inflicted upon his former club.
Another player who left a lasting impression by scoring against his former club was Fernando Morientes during his loan spell at AS Monaco. The Spanish striker, who was owned by Real Madrid at the time, had a memorable Champions League campaign with Monaco. In a quarterfinal clash against his parent club, Morientes scored a crucial goal in a 4-2 loss before netting another in a famous 3-1 victory at Stade Louis II. This double strike helped Monaco advance to the semifinals, where they eventually fell short against Porto in the final.
Both Coutinho and Morientes demonstrated their quality and resilience by scoring against their former clubs on the biggest stage in European football. These performances will be remembered as iconic moments in Champions League history, showcasing the drama and excitement that the competition consistently delivers.
