Liverpool had to overcome every possible sort of adversity in the historic 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, but one star had their own battle through pain.
The iconic Istanbul final saw Liverpool fight from 3-0 down at half-time against one of the greatest teams on the planet to win a fifth Champions League crown on penalties. Three goals in 15 minutes at the start of the second half saw Rafa Benitez’s side complete a remarkable turnaround.
Some fans will point to the introduction of experienced German midfielder Didi Hamann at half-time for Steve Finnan as the catalyst for the comeback, with him even scoring the first penalty in the shootout.
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However, Hamann incredibly stepped up to the spot after playing the final moments of extra time with a broken metatarsal and all three permitted substitutes made.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via MrQ, Hamann revealed how he played through the pain barrier: “Obviously I didn’t know I had a broken foot at the time.
“It happened about four or five minutes before the end of extra time, when I felt a little crack in my right foot, and it was a stress fracture in my metatarsal.
“As I said, we’d used all our subs, so coming off wasn’t really an option. I felt that something had happened, but obviously the pain was bearable.”
Being one of the most experienced players in the Liverpool squad, Hamann was happy to bear the pressure of stepping up first.
He said: “When the manager asked me to take a penalty, I think I was the oldest and most experienced player on the pitch at the time for us. Obviously, there was no question that I was going to take one.”
Hamann enjoyed the celebrations of the club’s greatest night as he lit up a cigarette and smoked with former Reds CEO David Moores in the showers.
Reflecting on the festivities, Hamann said: “Turkey is one or two hours ahead of the UK, and I think the game didn’t finish until after midnight. So, you know, it took quite some time before we got back to the hotel.
“Obviously, we left the hotel and had a little bit of a celebration, but then coming back to Liverpool, it was obviously amazing to see so many happy faces. The experience is something that stays with me forever.”
Hamann saw his minutes decrease the following season, playing just 17 times in the league in what turned out to be his final season at Anfield.
The German joined Manchester City and spent three years on the sky blue side of Manchester but he was unable to add to his trophy cabinet.
Alongside the Champions League, Hamann won two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup and two UEFA Super Cups.