Why Do Champions League Winners Cut the Goal Net?

After PSG’s stunning 5–0 win over Inter in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena, some of the players were seen cutting off pieces of the goal net. But where does this unusual tradition come from?

One theory traces it back to basketball. According to a popular legend, in the mid-20th century, a high school coach named Case was so overwhelmed with joy after his team “Wolfpack” won a major tournament that he kissed his players, climbed onto one of their shoulders, and cut down the basketball net. He then hung it in his office as a symbol of triumph.

In the 21st century, the tradition was carried on by NBA players and eventually spread to Europe. For example, basketball’s FC Barcelona famously cut down the net after winning the Spanish championship in the 2010/11 season.

In football, it was Gerard Piqué who brought the ritual into the spotlight. A huge basketball fan, the Barça defender mimicked the act after beating Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final.

“I saw it in basketball. I thought it was cool. I cut the net and now I’ll hang it at home,” Piqué said.

Since then, winning football teams have increasingly adopted the tradition. One of the most amusing moments came from Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka after their 2020 Champions League win.

“Don’t tell my parents or UEFA,” he joked on social media after cutting part of the net.

From a quirky basketball tradition to a full-blown football ritual, cutting the net has become an emotional way for players to take a piece of history home — quite literally.

Published by Patrick Jane
02.06.2025