Demba Ba's Champions League kick-off vs Arsenal in 2014 is still so bonkers | OneFootball

Demba Ba once came close to scoring one of the game’s all-time craziest goals.

It was 2014 and Arsenal were taking on Besiktas in a Champions League play-off game.

Ba, formerly of Newcastle and Chelsea, was playing for the Turkish outfit at the time.

And upon taking the kick-off, decided to roll the ball to himself before shooting from the half-way line.

It truly makes for bizarre viewing. Although, at the same time, it was nearly a stroke of genius from Ba.

Wojciech Szczęsny turned out to be a little off his line and was caught out by the ambitious effort.

The Polish stopper, who has since gone on to achieve great things in his career with Juventus, ended up having to backtrack in his desperate attempt to save the strike.

Unfortunately for Ba, Szczęsny just about managed to get back in time and tipped the ball onto the bar.

Had it found the top corner, though, it would comfortably have been the fastest goal in Champions League history. As well as one of the most extraordinary.

Check it out for yourself below.

The current record for the Champions League’s fastest goal is held by Roy Makaay.

The Bayern Munich marksman found the net just 10.12 seconds into a fierce encounter with Real Madrid.

It’s a stunningly fast time to score a goal in a game at the very highest level and will surely take some serious beating.

But had Ba found the back of the net with this would-be-beauty, the Senegalese veteran would have clocked a time somewhere in the region of 3-4 seconds.

Now, that, would be out of this world.

Where is Ba playing now?

Ba officially hung up his boots in 2021 after his career was de-railed by a horrific leg-break whilst playing in China.

He now serves as the chairman of National Independent Soccer Association side ASC San Diego.

He also reportedly purchased Senegalese Ligue 2 side, Amitie FC, based in the country’s third largest city.