The 2002-03 campaign was a season of spectacular achievement and individual brilliance for Deportivo de La Coruña as the "Super Depor" finished a strong 3rd in La Liga, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Spearheading the attack was the prolific Dutch striker Roy Makaay, whose sensational 29 league goals earned him both the prestigious Pichichi Trophy and the coveted European Golden Shoe as Europe's top goalscorer. The season also delivered immediate silverware with a Supercopa de España victory over rivals Valencia and an exciting Champions League run, highlighted by Makaay's famous hat-trick against Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion. It was a defining year that cemented the club's golden era under manager Javier Irureta.