For the past decade, the UEFA Champions League final has kicked off not just with footballing fireworks, but musical ones too. In a tradition that increasingly mirrors the Super Bowl halftime show, each year UEFA invites a globally recognised artist or band to perform just before the biggest club match in world football.
In previous years, the likes of Alicia Keys, Imagine Dragons, Black Eyed Peas, and Lenny Kravitz have taken the stage. This time around, it was Linkin Park’s turn to shine.
Fronted by founding member Mike Shinoda and vocalist Emily Armstrong — who stepped in following Chester Bennington’s tragic passing in 2017 — the group delivered a dramatic four-song medley at the Allianz Arena. Their set included “The Emptiness Machine,” “In the End,” “Numb,” and “Heavy Is The Crown.”
Complete with pyrotechnics, moody visuals, and a massive standing ovation, it looked like the nu-metal legends had hit all the right notes with the crowd.
A abertura SENSACIONAL do Linkin Park na #UEFAChampionsLeague.
— VOU DE GRADE (@voudegrade) May 31, 2025
But while Linkin Park tried so hard and got so far, in the end, it still wasn’t enough for Marco van Basten.
The Dutch football legend didn’t hold back in his brutal review of the pre-match show, tellingZiggo Sport: “The Linkin Park performance was garbage — absolutely garbage. It’s a disgrace that UEFA allows this.”
Though he name-checked the band, Van Basten’s frustration was clearly aimed more at the concept than the performers themselves. The former Ballon d’Or winner argued that the spectacle distracts players right before kickoff, at a time when they should be focused and warming up on the pitch.
“I find it absolutely idiotic,” he added, slamming the whole production as “worthless — totally worthless.”
Clearly, for Van Basten, the pre-match show feels like one step closer to ruining the beautiful game.
