Messi, Ronaldo & Bocelli: The iconic opening ceremony for the 2009 UCL final

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By Danny Ryan

Published Apr 14, 2022

The 2009 Champions League final saw Barcelona defeat Manchester United 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome

The streets will never forget the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.It remains the only time that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have locked horns in club footballâ€™s biggest fixture.Manchester United attempted to retain their European title in Rome, but they were outdone by Pep Guardiolaâ€™s era-defining Barcelona team.A first half goal by Samuel Etoâ€™o and an iconic header by a young Messi after the half-time interval secured Champions League trophy number three for the Blaugrana.The memorable victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's star-studded United side also saw Barcelona achieve the historic feat of a treble for the very first time.There are a number of football fans out there who will refer to the 2009 final as the greatest in Champions League history and that's certainly understandable.On top of the thrilling action, we were also treated to the most iconic of opening ceremonies in 'The Eternal City'.The atmosphere inside the Stadio Olimpico just before kick-off was absolutely electric and the players were welcomed onto the pitch by Andrea Bocelli's goosebump-giving vocals.Messi vs Ronaldo, a plethora of other legends on show, fans going crazy in the stands and one of the most famous voices of modern times on the microphone? It doesn't get any better than that.

Video: The opening ceremony for the 2009 Champions League final

Anyone else feeling nostalgic? The 2009 final really was a special, special footballing occasion and those of us who were lucky enough to witness it live should cherish the memories forever.

Barcelona and United came face-to-face in the Champions League's finale two years later at Wembley Stadium.

And it was the Spanish team who came out on top again, only in 2011 it was far more of a one-sided affair.