The top European clubs are gearing up for the new campaign and while it may only be pre-season, that hasn’t stopped them from turning on the style with some truly spectacular goals.
A Zlatan Ibrahimovic overhead kick just three minutes into his debut for Manchester United got them off to a great start as they trounced Galatasaray 5-2 in Sweden.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid edged past Chelsea 3-2 in the United States, scoring some screamers in the first-half and Barcelona secured a 3-1 win over Celtic in Dublin.
Here, we look at some of the best goals from Saturday’s pre-season fixtures:
CELTIC 1-3 BARCELONA
The opening goal in this encounter turned out to be the best of the lot. Aleix Vidal executed a cheeky nutmeg on the right flank before squaring the ball for Arda Turan who pulled off an emphatic finish.
Aleix Vidal with the nutmeg, Arda with the first time finessed finish 🙌👏pic.twitter.com/ZrlUvCNfa1
— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) July 30, 2016
And there was no doubt that the funniest moment in the match came when Leigh Griffiths pounced on Jose Martinez’s heavy first touch to score for the Scottish giants.
Leigh Griffiths' goal v. Barcelona. Couldn't be any easier!#FCBCeltic #Celtic #ICC2016 https://t.co/clMf9YZvF3
— HalfAGoal (@Half_A_Goal) July 30, 2016
MANCHESTER UNITED 5-2 GALATASARAY
We can’t say he didn’t warn us. Zlatan’s Instagram clip of him doing a bicycle kick on Venice beach proved to be a handy preview of his first appearance for United.
Antonio Valencia supplied the cross – the first of three assists he would make in the game – and the Swede’s acrobatic effort found the net in the fourth minute to put his side ahead.
Well, that didn't take long... #Zlatan https://t.co/QEqrXvzB3P
— Sport360° (@Sport360) July 30, 2016
Having been replaced by Marcus Rashford at half-time, Ibrahimovic was more than pleased with the youngster’s efforts. The Englishman’s impressive run to win a penalty – dispatched by Wayne Rooney for his second of the game – brought a standing ovation from the 34 year-old striker.
The moment Zlatan realised Rashford is the Wythenshawe Eusebio pic.twitter.com/MWsgFmgjIm
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) July 30, 2016
Juan Mata may not be central to Jose Mourinho’s plans but he continues to fight for his place, finishing off a neat move after being set-up by Michael Carrick.
Juan Mata goal vs Galatasaray 2-5 #mufc
— Utd Goals (@UtdGoals) July 30, 2016
👏 pic.twitter.com/peRzGMwFVK
REAL MADRID 3-2 CHELSEA
Real Madrid took on Chelsea without the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale but Marcelo more than filled the void left by the duo.
He scored a brace to help his side to a narrow win but it was his opener that was particularly eye-catching.
What a strike from Marcelo to open the scoring for Real Madrid vs Chelsea! (Currently 3-0) https://t.co/pFONkj1cUf
— Sport360° (@Sport360) July 30, 2016
However, the Brazilian full-back will have to argue with Mariano over who scored the best goal of the match after this fine strike for Madrid’s third.
Real Madrid scoring some crackers against Chelsea. This was their third from Mariano... https://t.co/pj5PjA4mDD
— Sport360° (@Sport360) July 30, 2016
Eden Hazard then rounded the keeper to pull one back before scoring an almost identical goal to finish the game at 3-2.
Eden Hazard's goal! https://t.co/atLjFLo5O8
— - (@FalseNineRoIe) July 30, 2016
LIVERPOOL 2-0 AC MILAN
A sublime first-half effort from Divock Origi and a second after the break from Roberto Firmino handed the Kop side a comfortable victory over the Italian giants at Levi’s Stadium in California.
Gif: Goal, Divock Origi vs. AC Milan. #lfc [@liverpoolgifs]: pic.twitter.com/5W376cV9ZS
— lfcstuff (@stuffIfc) July 31, 2016
Lovely finish https://t.co/6TGxGKYYcw
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) July 31, 2016
LAMPARD NETS A HAT-TRICK
And Frank Lampard scored his first-ever hat-trick in his professional career, as New York City beat Colorado Rapids in the MLS Eastern Conference.
First hat trick in @NYCFC history ✅
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2016
Lampard finishes it off from the spot to make it three on the day. https://t.co/15dRjxkN5X
BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 INTER MILAN
A Julian Green hat-trick saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men demolish Inter Milan 4-1 at the International Champions Cup in the US.
Highlights from Bayern Munich vs. Inter earlier today in the @IntChampionsCuphttps://t.co/bI45AGo3gs
— Serie A News (@TransfersCalcio) July 31, 2016