Featured Image Credit: @GalatasaraySK/Twitter.
Topics: Galatasaray, Champions League
Jayden Collins
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.
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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.
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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.
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Galatasaray fans online were understandably chuffed about the effort.
One wrote: “Puskas applauds this goal.”
Another said: “Puskas Award 2023.”
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A third added: “MERTENS oh my god.”
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.