Robin van Persie receives award at Legends of Football ceremony for volley against Aston Villa
Football
By
Mirror
| Oct 06, 2016
Robin van Persie has been recognised for scoring the best goal of the Premier League era at the Legends of Football ceremony after jetting into London for the event.
This year's dinner, held on Wednesday night, celebrated 25 seasons of Premier League football with the room filled with legendary figures including Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.
They and other players to reach the 100 goal mark voted for the best goal gong which saw former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Van Persie emerge victorious.
His incredible volley for the Red Devils against Aston Villa in 2013 was hard to beat among what he described as an "amazing" field.
"It's almost impossible to pick a winner," said Van Persie.
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"All of them are amazing. In my opinion it's very difficult to pick one.
"It's a huge honour. It's the hardest league in the world."
The event, hosted by Rachel Riley and Geoff Shreeves, helps raise money for charity Nordoff Robins with the Premier League kicking in £100,000 to the cause.
In an incredible parting gift Van Persie donated £20,000 of his own to the charity after recalling why that goal, which wrapped up United's 20th and Sir Alex Ferguson's final league title at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney found Van Persie with a long pass before the Dutchman connected perfectly with a left-footed volley to beat keeper Brad Guzan.
"I chose that goal because it was the first title I won and it was a huge moment for Manchester United," he said.
"On a goal like that you don't really think about it. You just want to make the most of it and see what happens. But you need a bit of luck as well.
"What I like about that goal is the whole story that was behind it."