The diving goalie

Have you ever heard of a goalkeeper diving? why would a goalkeeper dive? you may ask. well the answer to that question can best be answered by Dida the former champions league winning goalkeeper of AC Milan.

On October 3, 2007, Celtic hosted AC Milan at Celtic Park in a Champions League group-stage match. The game was tense, and Celtic was pushing for a famous win against the defending champions.

The Incident

In the 89th minute, Celtic’s Scott McDonald scored a dramatic late goal to put his team 2-1 ahead. The stadium erupted with celebrations. During the chaos, a young Celtic fan ran onto the pitch and lightly tapped AC Milan goalkeeper Dida on the shoulder as he ran past.

Instead of brushing off the minimal contact, Dida took his acting skills to an Oscar-winning level:

1. First, he took a couple of steps forward as if nothing had happened.
2. Then, he suddenly collapsed to the ground, holding his face like he had just been punched by Mike Tyson.
3. The Milan medical team rushed onto the pitch and even stretched him off as if he had suffered a serious injury.

Aftermath & Reactions

• Fans & Media Reaction – Dida was immediately mocked for his over-the-top theatrics. Memes, jokes, and videos spread quickly. Even Milan fans were embarrassed.
• UEFA’s Verdict – Instead of punishing Celtic heavily for the fan running onto the pitch, UEFA focused on Dida’s ridiculous behavior. He was given a two-match ban for "unsporting behavior."
• Celtic's Punishment – The club was fined £25,000 for the pitch invasion, but no major sanctions were imposed.

Dida’s Reputation Took a Hit

Before this, Dida was a respected goalkeeper, having won the Champions League with Milan in 2003 and 2007. But after this stunt, he became known as a diving goalkeeper, something unheard of in football.

What People Said About the Incident

Gordon Strachan (Celtic Manager at the time)

Strachan kept it short but sarcastic:
🗣 "I thought he had been shot!"

Paolo Maldini (AC Milan Captain)

Even Maldini, Dida’s legendary teammate, seemed a bit embarrassed:
"It was a strange reaction. We were all surprised."

Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan Manager at the time)

He tried to defend his player but wasn’t very convincing:
"It was an unfortunate situation. The fan should not have been on the pitch, but Dida’s reaction was excessive."

The Fan Who Tapped Dida – Robert McHendry

The fan, a 27-year-old Celtic supporter, later admitted he made a mistake but couldn’t believe Dida’s reaction:
"I just gave him a wee pat on the face and kept running. Next thing I know, he's rolling about like I knocked him out!"

How Milan Fans Reacted

• Many Milan fans were embarrassed by Dida’s overacting and felt that he had made the club look bad.
• Some even compared him to Rivaldo’s famous fake injury at the 2002 World Cup, when Rivaldo acted like he was hit in the face after a ball was kicked at his leg.

What Happened to Dida After This?

• He served his two-match ban and lost his place as Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper by the next season.
• His career slowly declined, and he eventually left Milan in 2010.
• To this day, the Dida dive remains one of the most ridiculous football dives ever.