Dries Mertens has already delivered a goal-of-the-season contender with a sensational volley for Galatasaray against Zalgiris in a UEFA Champions League qualifier.
The Turkish side competed in the second qualifying round for the 2023/24 Champions League season.
After drawing 2-2 in the first leg, it took a fantastic effort from the Belgian winger for the side to progress to the next stage.
Galatasaray were awarded a corner in the 30th minute Kerem Arkturkoglu whipped the ball well beyond the edge of the area.
Mertens found himself unmarked more than 20 yards out and caught perhaps the sweetest volley he will ever hit in his career.
The ball soared like a rocket through the crowded box and into the corner of the net past Zalgiris goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas.The fans inside the Rams Park Stadyumu went absolutely nuts, and rightfully so.
It was scenes reminiscent of Paul Scholes’ days back for Manchester United, with the midfielder having quite the knack for strikes from range.
Red Devils’ fans can undoubtedly recall memories of his pile drivers hit on the volley from corners versus the likes of Bradford City and Aston Villa.
Mertens, who recently re-signed for another season with Galatasaray, will undoubtedly be delighted with such an effort.
Despite the European competition only in its second stage, this effort from Mertens will be hard to beat for the goal of the competition.The 36-year-old joined the Super Lig side in 2022 on a free transfer following nine seasons at Napoli.
He secured the title with Galatasaray last season and announced in June that he would be staying on for another year with the side.
Access our platform effortlessly on-the-go through our user-friendly mobile apps.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐, ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ด. Weโre more than just a social platform โ from jobs and blogs to events and daily chats, we bring people and ideas together in one simple, meaningful space.
