Macheda Speaks about That Unforgettable Goal against Aston Villa

Federico Macheda has opened up on the incredible goal that changed his career overnight.


The former Manchester United striker made an unforgettable debut for the club in 2009 when he came off the bench to score the winner against Aston Villa. After having been a relative unknown up until that point,Macheda says that he initially enjoyed the overwhelming popularity provided by that debut. Yet, he was unable to sustain the success for long. After featuring on a few occasions towards the end of that season, he was loaned out to various clubs like Sampdoria, QPR, and Stuttgart. Yet, none of the loan spells worked out for the striker and he was unable to secure a permanent place at any of these clubs.

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s faith in the striker was also tested heavily as a result of the failed loan spells. In the end, the striker was left to go of by United in the summer of 2014. After going to Cardiff city on a free transfer, the striker struggled with injury problems which limited his impact at the club.

His long-standing problems with injuries meant that Cardiff city had no option but to let him leave at the end of his contract. After struggling to find a new club,Macheda has joined Italian second division outfit Novara in the summer.

“My life changed that day and it has never been the same since.Nobody gave a f— who I was before that goal but the day after I would go to the Trafford Centre and have 100 people around me. I enjoyed it at the start.To this moment, it remains the best football day of my life. I woke up and I was on the front page of newspapers all around the world. My friends were calling me from Rome and crying down the phone. I went into training and all the staff were high-fiving me and saying well done,” said Macheda.