Kevin Prince Boateng is a German-born Ghanaian who represented the African nation in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.
The player has announced his retirement at 36 years old, following a long career that saw him play for 15 different European clubs, five of which were Italian Serie A clubs.
Like most prolific players, Boateng graced the big stage with prowess and made the most of every chance that came his way.
Prince Boateng's illustrious career, which spanned more than 25 years, was dotted with some of the most memorable moments of stardom in the football world.
On many occasions, Boateng shocked the world in style, creating moments of magic for his team, fans and teammates.
In this post, we look back on moments in time when Boateng shocked the World.
Reliving the moments when Boateng stunned the world
๐จ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: Kevin-Prince Boateng has announced his retirement from football. He played for 15 clubs in his career:
๐ฉ๐ช Hertha
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Tottenham
๐ฉ๐ช Dortmund
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Portsmouth
๐ฎ๐น Genoa
๐ฎ๐น AC Milan
๐ฉ๐ช Schalke
๐ฎ๐น AC Milan
๐ช๐ธ Las Palmas
๐ฉ๐ช Frankfurt
๐ฎ๐น Sassuolo
๐ช๐ธ Barcelona
๐ฎ๐นโฆ pic.twitter.com/KKFGXpDjZf— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 11, 2023
Kevin Prince Boateng's 2010 World Cup solo goal against the USA
When Kevin Prince Boateng opened the scoring in a decisive match against the USA in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it was the moment that Africans had been waiting for.
Boateng's solo effort breathed life into the Black Stars who were determined to break barriers by going as far as possible in the 2010 tournament.
A sole effort from the centre of the pitch to notch home a left-footed low drive was something special. It was a mark of composure even with three USA players closing on the midfielder.
The opener against the USMNT in the 5th minute was crucial in firing the motivated Ghanaian side to the next level of the competition. USMNT levelled the score with a penalty in the 62nd minute but Ghana was relentless as they went up again in the third minute of injury time to win 2-1.
While Kevin Prince Boateng picked up an injury in the knockout game before another full-time appearance in the quarterfinals against Uruguay, the solo goal remains one of the best in his football career.
Scissor-kick goal in La Liga clash with Las Palmas in October 2016
An incredible scissor-kick from Boateng against Villarreal in a La Liga clash back in 2016 found the back of the net.
The man who scored great goals.
Happy retirement Kevin-Prince Boateng. โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/9UhZEhZh8Z
— Football Tweet โฝ๎จ (@Football__Tweet) August 11, 2023
The composure and, finally the drive home became another highlight of Boateng's illustrious football career. Tana's back-heel pass remains one of the most memorable goals in La Liga history.
Boateng slotted home from a difficult acrobatic back-heel back from Tana to create an outrageous moment of magic under very difficult circumstances.
The goal shocked everyone at Estadio de la Ceramica and the world at large. The special goal earned Boateng a Puskas Award nominee.
A debut back-heel goal for Besiktas in February 2020
When Kevin Prince joined Besiktas in January 2020 transfer window, not much was expected of a 33-year-old on loan from Fiorentina.
However, Boateng hit the ground running, scoring a beautiful back-heel flip on his debut for Besiktas.
Great performance and a goal for the Black Eagles 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute helped Besiktas double the lead against Gaziantep FK.
In 11 appearances for Besiktas, Prince-Kevin Boateng scored three goals and provided an assist.
Boateng's Champions League goal against Barcelona in 2011
In an interview with Sky Italia a few years ago, Boateng said his Champions League goal against Barcelona in November 2011 remains, his career's favourite.
Picking up a difficult Barca defensive head clearance from at the edge of the 18-yard box, Boateng made a little flick and opened wide to his right and a hard low drive to the near post.
A quick reaction from Kevin Prince Boateng to intercept a Barca clearance became a remarkable moment of glory in the player's career. His celebration of the goal was even special as he made a double somersault.
Now retired, Kevin Prince Boateng also said his time at AC Milan was the highlight of his career and still treasures his moments in Italy, adding that he feels affection whenever he visits Italy.
Eight years later in 2019, Kevin Prince Boateng joined Barcelona in a loan deal that lasted six months from January to June.
Off-bench Serie A hattrick against Lecce: Miraculous14 minutes
After backlash from Milan fans, including then Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida, who labelled Boateng as ‘not professional', he pulled a miraculous moment of glory to save Milan in the face of imminent humiliation by Lecce.
Coming on as a substitute in the second half when Milan were 3-0 down, Boateng's moment of magic stunned the world. The forward scored a hattrick in 14 minutes to the thrill of a charged Rossonnery crowd in the away stand.
Milan went on to win the game 3-4 when referee Sebastiano Peruzzo below the final whistle. He became the second substitute player in the history of Serie A to score a hat trick.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
