UEFA Champions League: Players Who Scored on Their Birthdays

Scoring a goal in the UEFA Champions League is a special moment for any footballer. However, finding the back of the net on one’s birthday makes the achievement even more memorable. Over the years, several players have celebrated their birthdays by scoring goals in Europe’s biggest club football competition.

Here are five memorable examples of footballers who scored on their birthdays in the Champions League.

1. Johan Manzambi – Aston Villa

Johan Manzambi reportedly celebrated his 21st birthday on October 14, 2026, by scoring against Fenerbahce. The Switzerland-born player opened the scoring early in the match and helped Aston Villa secure a 6-0 victory. According to the supplied report, the goal was also his first in the Champions League, making the occasion even more special.

2. Raheem Sterling – Manchester City

Raheem Sterling enjoyed a memorable 21st birthday on December 8, 2015, when he scored twice for Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach. City had fallen behind 2-1 but fought back to win the match 4-2. The victory also helped the English club secure its place in the Champions League knockout stage. Sterling’s two goals made his birthday a memorable occasion for both the player and the team.

3. Dado Prso – AS Monaco

Dado Prso produced one of the most remarkable birthday performances in Champions League history on November 5, 2003. Playing for Monaco against Deportivo La Coruna, the Croatian striker scored four goals on his 29th birthday. His performance included a hat-trick before half-time and helped Monaco secure an impressive 8-3 victory. Scoring four times in a single Champions League match remains a rare achievement, making Prso’s performance particularly memorable.

4. Ángel Di María – Paris Saint-Germain

Ángel Di María celebrated his 29th birthday on February 14, 2017, with an outstanding performance for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Barcelona. The Argentine winger scored twice, including a memorable free-kick, as PSG defeated the Spanish club 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie. The victory gave PSG a strong advantage heading into the second leg.

5. Edinson Cavani – Paris Saint-Germain

Edinson Cavani also found the net for PSG during the same match against Barcelona on February 14, 2017. The Uruguayan striker scored the fourth goal in the 4-0 victory, completing a remarkable night for the French club. Di María and Cavani both celebrated their birthdays with goals in the same match, helping PSG record an important win against one of Europe’s leading teams.

These performances show how a birthday can become even more memorable when combined with success on the football pitch. From Prso’s four-goal display to PSG’s famous victory over Barcelona, these players created special moments in Champions League history.