The Welsh Wizard

Ryan Giggs, my all-time favorite soccer player, stepped onto the pitch for a Manchester United club record 759th time today. He came on as a substitute replacing Paul Scholes in the 87th minute, passing Sir Bobby Charlton for the Red Devils' appearances record.

The record was broken in the Champion's League Final against Chelsea, the first All-England final in the tournament's history. He came on near the end of regulation in a 1-1 tie and immediately created a couple of scoring chances before the whistle blew to send it into extra time. Two periods of extra time couldn't produce a result, so the game went on to penalty kicks.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed his kick, the third attempt for United, and it appeared all but over when John Terry, England and Chelsea captain stepped to the mark with the score tied at four and only his kick remaining. United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar guessed wrong, but Terry's shot missed the goal completely and ManU were given a new life.

After the teams traded goals with the sixth kick, none other than the man himself, the Welsh Wizard, Ryan Giggs, stepped to the mark and buried his shot in the lower right hand corner of the net for a 6-5 lead. Nicolas Anelka then took his turn in an attempt to tie the score again, but this time Van der Sar guessed correctly and turned the shot aside.

Manchester United have won the Double, the Premier League Championship and the Champion's League Final, their first such feat since winning the Treble back in 1999. Congratulations to the Red Devils, but especially to Ryan Giggs. Thank you for 18 memorable years of service on the wing for United and for finishing a spectacular game with a victory against Chelsea. I hope you make it a 19th season so I can come out to Old Trafford and finally see you play in person!