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The transfer market usually is a time for players and managers to access their next career move. This is a time for reflection on the past season and possibly look for greener pastures. In football, players normally change clubs for various reasons. It may be to get more money because football indeed is a short career or in the pursuit of more playing time. It is never a certainty that changing clubs will improve a player's situation.
For example, Mohamed Salah had a dream move to Chelsea in 2014 from Basel. He was a star player in Switzerland when he came to the Premier League. However, he struggled to find regular playing time under Jose Mourinho and as result, went to the Italian league. It is there that the seed of the world-class talent he is today were planted.
Football, especially in the professional leagues, involves playing over 45 matches a season. Therefore, players are bound to face their former sides in the course of their career. Some players like Carlos Tevez while at Manchester City, used the chance to mock his former employers Manchester United when he scored.
Others in the past have maintained cool heads as a sign of respect to their former clubs. There are those players who have found the net against their former teams. These three top players fit the bill with their goals having a significant impact in the outcome of those matches.
#3 Alvaro Morata
The Spanish striker faced his former side Real Madrid in May 2015 at the UEFA Champions League semi-final stage. Morata moved to Juventus in pursuit of more playing time as he constantly played second fiddle to Karim Benzema in the striking pecking order at Madrid. The first leg in Turin ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.
Morata had given Juventus the lead in the eighth minute but refused to celebrate the goal. Cristiano Ronaldo levelled matters for Madrid in the 27th minute. However, it was Carlos Tevez that settled matters in the 57th minute from the penalty spot. Madrid had to score in the return leg a week later in Spain.
Ronaldo gave Madrid the much needed away goal from his 23rd-minute penalty. Morata, however, got the crucial equaliser in the 57th minute to send Madrid packing.
#2 Frank Lampard
On September 1, 2014, old boy Lampard faced his former side Chelsea for the first time since switching camps. It was an emotional return for the former England captain who was introduced in the 78th minute.
Manchester City were trailing 1-0 in this match at the Etihad Stadium following Andre Schurrle's 11th-minute goal. Furthermore, their back was against the wall in the 66th minute after right-back Pablo Zabaleta was sent off.
Lampard was manager Manuel Pellegrini's final card as he came on for Aleksandar Kolarov. James Milner made a brilliant run on the left flank and cut the ball back into the box. Lampard showed his familiar predatory instincts in the 85th minute to score with a half volley past the fully stretched Thibaut Courtois.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Ever since his 2003 move to Manchester United, Ronaldo became a crowd favourite with his dribbling skills and impeccable football talent. He left a lasting legacy in the 2007-2008 season when he scored 42 goals for United. He also netted the opening goal of that season's UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea which the Red Devils eventually won.
On February 13, 2013, United faced Madrid In the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Danny Welbeck gave United an unexpected lead in the 20th minute. Ronaldo, however, powered home a header ten minutes later after a lovely Angel Di Maria cross as the match ended 1-1.
In the return leg, Ronaldo came back to haunt United. The hosts led in the 48th minute from a Sergio Ramos own goal. Luka Modric levelled matters in the 66th minute after Nani was sent off before Ronaldo plunged the final dagger three minutes later from close range. Madrid advanced to the quarter-final 3-2 on aggregate.
