Faustino Asprilla admits that he only came to understand the true significance of his famous hat-trick against Barcelona long after the game ended.
The Colombian netted a treble for Newcastle United during a stunning 3-2 victory over the Catalans on September 17, 1997, in a Champions League match at St James’ Park.
Magpies cult hero Asprilla - who is now 51, and retired 16 years ago - remembers that iconic hat-trick as one of his favourite moments from a career which saw him capped 57 times by his country, and win two European trophies with Parma.
“Scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League was far from easy. It was only after the game that I understood what I’d achieved,” Asprilla told the official UEFA Champions League website.
“It’s wonderful because, after you retire from the sport, you’re left with all these achievements.”
Asprilla opened the scoring on that memorable night by converting a 22nd-minute penalty past Barcelona goalkeeper Ruud Hesp.
Two bullet headers from pinpoint-accurate Keith Gillespie crosses followed in the 31st and 49th minutes, before Luis Enrique and Luis Figo pulled two late goals back for Barca.
However, Newcastle held on to record a memorable victory, and Asprilla ensured his name would go down in United folklore with that display.
“From the first minute, I showed Barcelona I was there to achieve something big,” Asprilla added.
“[For the first goal] when I saw that none of my team-mates were brave enough to say, ‘I’ll take it [the penalty]’, we all looked at each other, and I grabbed the ball.
“When I saw the goalkeeper going the right way, I whipped the ball closer to the post. Although he got a touch, it was impossible for him to save it.
“Keith Gillespie was one of the fastest players I’d ever seen. He wouldn’t cut back and look up, he’d just get to the byline and cross it in.
“When the cross came [for the second goal], I jumped - and, when I did, the ball landed on my head with great force. I made contact, and luckily the ball went in over the goalkeeper.
“[For my third goal] I got away from Nadal by feigning to go to the near post. When the defender went there, I dropped back. I looked at the goalkeeper, and directed the ball exactly where I wanted.”
