Essien (in blue) scored with a powerful shot against Barcelona
Chelsea fans will be smiling at Moises Caicedo’s latest revelation. The Ecuadorian midfielder, when asked to pick his favourite UEFA Champions League goal of all time, chose a strike from one of Ghana’s greatest exports, Michael Essien.
In a post shared by journalist Gary Al-Smith, Caicedo was asked which goal stood out to him most in the competition’s history.
His answer was immediate.
“It is Michael Essien’s goal [against Barcelona]. I think it was a volley,” he said.
Essien’s wonder strike came in the 2008/09 Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Essien shows off ‘dance’ moves on TikTok
The Ghanaian unleashed a thunderous left-footed volley from the edge of the box that crashed off the underside of the bar and into the net, leaving Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdes rooted.
The goal remains one of Chelsea’s most iconic in Europe, even though Andres Iniesta’s dramatic late equaliser denied the Blues a place in the final.
For Caicedo, a player who also operates in the heart of midfield, it’s not difficult to see why Essien’s strike resonates so strongly.
Essien was renowned for his physical presence, tireless work rate, and ability to conjure spectacular goals from midfield, qualities Caicedo himself is admired for at Chelsea.
FKA/SEA
Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians debate the performance of Black Stars coach Otto Addo
