Scoring the biggest goal in his European soccer career isn’t what made Joel Campbell one of the happiest people in Piraeus, Greece, on Tuesday.
Celebrating that goal in front of his friends and family did.
Campbell scored the second goal of Olympiacos’ 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.
In the 54th minute, the Costa Rican striker dribbled past Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick before curling a left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper David de Gea. The 25-yard strike was Campbell’s first Champions League goal.
After the game, Campbell, 21, told the BBC that he was glad to share the special moment with his father, who attended the game at Olympiacos’ Karaiskakis Stadium.
“My father was sitting at the stand, and that was my greatest joy,” he said.
Campbell signed with Arsenal in 2011 but has yet to play for his parent club. He’s spending the 2013-14 season at Olympiacos. Barring injury, he’ll play for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup before returning to the Gunners during their preseason. Though the months ahead will be crucial in his career, Campbell didn’t want to discuss his next steps right after Tuesday’s victory.
“I cannot talk about that right now. I cherish this year. We just won a crucial match, and I want to enjoy that,” he said.
On March 19, Olympiacos will take a two-goal lead to Old Trafford in the second leg of its Round-of-16 series with Manchester United. The Greek club could reach the Champions League quarterfinal for the first time in 15 years.
See Campbell’s goal against Manchester United below.
GIFs via Reddit
Click here to read more about Manchester United’s Greek tragedy>>
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