Roy Makaay’s Champions League record-setting boots now in the FC Bayern Museum

It took Roy Makaay only 10.12 seconds to score for Bayern against Real Madrid on 7 March 2007. It remains the fastest goal in the history of the Champions League and is all the more remarkable because the Spanish team had kick-off that day. The ball was played to Roberto Carlos, who lost it against Hasan Salihamidžić. The Bayern midfielder then set Makaay away to beat Iker Casillas in the Madrid goal at the Allianz Arena. “It’s incredibly that my record still stands after so many years,” Makaay said on donating his boots. It’s been almost 20 years since Bayern won that second leg 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.

“I’ll never forget the moment and atmosphere in the stadium”

Now 51 years old, the former striker returned to the scene of his historic moment last week to hand over the special items. “The boots I wore to score the goal are now where they belong, at the Allianz Arena and in the wonderful club museum,” Makaay said. As he stood there looking at his old footwear, he explained how it helps bring the past to life: “As soon as I look at them, I know what game it was. I’ll never forget the moment and atmosphere in the stadium that day.”

It’s a moment long engrained in Bayern’s DNA and that now holds a fixed place at the heart of the club. “Sometimes you don’t need to think twice in football but just be there at the right moment. It’s obviously one of the most important goals in my career,” Makaay added. The Dutchman scored 103 goals in just 183 competitive appearances for Bayern between 2003 and 2007, winning the Bundesliga and DFB Cup twice each. Makaay is now the head coach of the FC Bayern World Squad.

Two names stitched into the boots

The footwear inside the Museum also carries more than just memories. The names Dani and Milou – his children – are stitched into each boot. It’s a detail that shows how close family and football are for Makaay and a reminder that big moments don’t just happen alone but are intertwined with the people who accompany you along the way.

Thomas Glas, FC Bayern director of branding, was happy to receive the boots. Such items are invaluable to him and the Museum. “They bring outstanding moments in the club’s history to life in a special way, so we’re delighted to be able to display them,” Glas stated. They will help make the exhibit an experience that over 500,000 visitors every year will take home with them as they recall the night that Bayern and Makaay wrote their names in football history.

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