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What makes a goal great? A goal needs a combination of many things in order for it to be considered great. A great goal needs many things such as skill, acrobats, and amazing touch.
In my lifetime, I have seen my fair share of some great goals. But I needed to do tons of research in order to create a list of the twenty greatest goals of all time. After watching countless hours of footage, I have compiled the top 20 football goals of all time. So, let us begin.
Before we begin the list, may I remind you that not every goal can be in the list. Some goals that were left out will probably disappoint you, but that’s your opinion. So with that out of the way, let’s begin our list with number 20.
20. Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range blast vs Porto
We start our list with one of the greatest players in the world. Before he joined Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player in the Premier League during his time at Manchester United. This goal was probably Ronaldo’s best goal during his time at Manchester.
Manchester United needed to pick up a win at Porto to advance to the next round of the Champions League in 2009, after the Portuguese side earned a draw in the first leg. Ronaldo stepped up to the occasion and fired a shot from 40 yards out, which rocketed into the back of the net. That goal turned out to be all what Manchester United needed to advance into the next stage.
Not many players are capable of doing what Ronaldo did on that night. Like him or hate him, he is a special talent who plays the kind of football we all wish we could play.
19. Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen (2002 CL Final)
Zinedine Zidane scored one of the greatest goals, perhaps the greatest, in the history of the Champions League. And of all games imaginable, it happened to be the winning goal of the final of the Champions League in 2002.
Zidane scored a ridiculous volley with his left foot that glided straight into the back of the net. As it happened, it seemed like Zidane had a whole lifetime to set up for that shot, and he delivered one of the greatest moments in the history of Real Madrid football club.
It was another masterpiece created by the feet of one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
18. Maxi Rodriguez volley vs Mexico (2006 World Cup)
On the world’s biggest stage, Maxi Rodriguez scored one of football’s greatest goals against Mexico in the Round of 16 match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The Argentine gained his 15 minutes of fame with this audacious attempt on goal, that happened to be the winner in extra time, to help Argentina advance into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Mexico. Rodriguez chested the ball, and then volleyed it from long range into the top corner.
17. Lionel Messi vs Getafe
Lionel Messi is arguably the best player in the game today. He strikes fear in the opposing defense’s eyes, his dribbling skills are second to none and he is one of the most efficient goal scorers in football. The little Argentine man is on his way to becoming perhaps the greatest footballer in history.
But before he earned all the accolades and was touted by many as the world’s best player, Messi was just another gifted youngster trying to prove himself. In 2007, he put on a dribbling display against Spanish side Getafe, and showed the whole world that he had arrived.
Many years from now, when Messi’s career is over, we will look back at this goal as the starting point for the beginning of the era of Lionel Messi.
16. Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick vs Manchester City
Manchester City had assembled a very talented squad that had eyes on claiming the league championship. But before they could claim the throne as England’s best, they had to dethrone their biggest rivals, Manchester United. And Wayne Rooney would not hear any of it during their league encounter against Manchester City last season.
Rooney proved to City that they still had to work to take down their fiercest rivals, with an amazing bicycle kick. Rooney timed the cross brilliantly, got in the right position, used his acrobatic skills and hammered home a brilliant finish.
Many people criticize Rooney, but I have not seen a single striker work as hard as he does. He does everything to help his team to win the game, and that includes getting back to help defend, creating chances for his teammates and scoring great goals like the one he did against Manchester City.
Rooney showed why he’s England’s best striker and one of the best players in the world.
15. Frank Lampard’s chip vs Barcelona
Chelsea had a fierce encounter with Barcelona at the Nou Camp during the Champions League group stage in 2006. After Barcelona went up 1-0 with Deco giving the home side the lead through a well struck long range effort, Chelsea returned the favour as Frank Lampard chipped a ball right over the goalkeeper from a ridiculous angle.
You could tell it was done intentionally by Lampard because he knew there was no one in the box to cross to, so he decided to try to chip it over the goalkeeper, as it was his only chance to beat him.
If you happen to have watched the post match interview, he did say it was intentional and that he had been practising shooting from these sort of angles.
14. Steven Gerrard’s goal vs West Ham (FA Cup Final)
Easily one of the most incredible goals I have ever seen. How can you hit a ball better than that? This goal is an absolute masterpiece, and there is everything that you could possibly want in a strike – power, precision, elegance and distance.
This goal showed that Steven Gerrard always stepped up when he needed to. He once again stepped up to the occasion during the FA Cup final, got his side into extra time, and helped Liverpool claim another FA Cup title in their storied history. No one should ever doubt Gerrard’s value to Liverpool, and he has proven to have been England’s best midfielder for the past decade.
Also, can anyone scream Gerrard’s name better than Martin Tyler?
13. Diego Maradona’s goal vs England
According to many people, Diego Maradona is greatest footballer in history. And this particular goal vs England in the World Cup showed just how special and how unbelievably good Maradona was in his prime.
This goal was absolute class. A goal for the gods, if ever there was one.
12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s backheel volley vs Bologna
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played at some of the best clubs in Europe. He has been regarded as one of the best strikers in the world for quite some time now. Even though he has been criticized for not showing up in the big games, Ibrahimovic has always kept fans entertained his many magnificent goals.
One of Ibrahimovic’s greatest goals happened during his time at Inter Milan in a league match against Bologna in 2008. He pulled off a ridiculous back heel volley from a cross provided by Adriano.
Ibrahimovic just stuck his leg out and hoped something good came out of it, and it did. He might not be considered the best player in the world, but he is indeed one of the most entertaining to watch.
11. Rivaldo’s bicycle kick
Rivaldo is considered to be one of the best Brazilians to have ever played the game, and he had a partnership with national teammate Ronaldo which will go down as one of the greatest of all time. This, in my opinion, is one of the best bicycle kicks ever seen.
There was so much to be impressed with in this goal, and the importance of it was huge as well. The shot was taken outside the box with 10 defenders surrounding him, and in the last minute of last game, which was the crucial game that clinched Barcelona a Champions League spot.
I hope people remember Rivaldo for things like this, and not that silly dive in the World Cup.
And now, what you have all been waiting for: The top 10 goals of all time
10. Robin van Persie’s flying volley vs Charlton
Robin van Persie has been a goal-scoring machine during his career. And his flying volley against Charlton will go down as his greatest goal in an Arsenal shirt.
This is easily one of the best goals of all time. How many players could run that far, jump miles in the air, volley the ball and get it in the top corner? I think it’d be next to impossible for anyone to replicate this ever again.
This is easily one of the greatest goals in Arsenal’s history, and shows the the true quality of Van Persie.
9. Ronaldinho’s overhead kick vs Villareal
Ronaldinho is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. He had everything a player could ask for – speed, agility, strength, balance and power. Ronaldinho had the potential to be the greatest player in football history, but ruined his chance by wasting his talent when he began to drink and party later in his career.
This goal shows the true capabilities that Ronaldinho possessed, which made him one of the most skilled footballers ever along with the likes of Zinedine Zidane. This goal was an absolute beauty and will go down as one of the most entertaining goals in history.
The commentary by Ray Hudson was just as electric as the goal, with quotes such as, “As electrifying as a hairdryer thrown in a hot tub,” and “Like Betamax, they just don’t make them like him anymore.”
8. Charles-Edouard Coridon vs Porto
When the name Charles-Edouard Coridon comes up, all that football supporters can think about is that marvelous goal he scored against Porto in the Champions League.
Coridon attempted a cheeky back heel from a cross that was delivered just a little bit behind him, and somehow it found itself in the back of the net with some improvisation and a bit of luck. He would have gotten a lot of stick from attempting something like that if had gone all wrong.
7. Eren Derdiyok vs Wolfsburg
This was an absolutely amazing goal. Everything went right for Derdiyok, which allowed him to score this work of art.
The first touch from the pass was brilliant, then his second touch on the ball allowed him to evade the defender. The ball went behind him, which allowed him to score a goal that was sent from the heavens.
6. Mauro Bressan’s bicycle kick
This goal is, in my opinion, the best bicycle kick ever scored in football history. Just look at where he is when he attempts this shot; the pace and precision he his able to put on the ball is remarkable.
No one has much of an idea who Mauro Bressan is and how his career turned out, but he will always be remembered in football history for scoring one of the greatest goals ever witnessed by human eyes.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s solo goal for Ajax
Zlatan Ibrahimovic started his career at Ajax and showed the whole world the talent that he possessed. In this goal he even shook the cameraman at one point.
Yes, a lot of players could match a run like Ibrahimovic’s, but do you think they could do it with their shoelaces untied?
Watch the video closely after he scored the goal to see him tie his shoe. That type of skill even made Rafael Van der Vaart fume with jealousy.
4. Rafael van der Vaart’s backheel goal
Before he joined Real Madrid, Rafael Van der Vaart was one of many great footballers to play for Ajax. This goal that he scored against Feyenoord was unbelievable.
I still have no clue how he was able to pull off this back heel!
3. Thierry Henry vs Manchester United
Thierry Henry was probably the most dangerous and best player to ever play in the Premier League.
This goal that Henry scored against Manchester United defined his brilliance and dominance during his time at Arsenal. I’ve never seen a turn and strike like this before, and never have since. Anyone who plays football would know this is an almost impossible goal to score. And the commentary by Andy Gray puts the cherry on the top.
I just think its an incredible goal which requires awesome technique and bravery to even attempt. For me, easily one of the greatest goals I have ever seen.
2. Dennis Bergkamp’s touch of genius vs Newcastle
Dennis Bergkamp produced a moment of brilliance against Newcastle in 2002 that will never be forgotten by any Arsenal supporter.
The Dutchman received a pass from Robert Pires while standing on the edge of the box with his back to the goal and Dabizas marking him tightly. When the ball reached him, he flicked the ball with his left foot, spinning around the confused Dabizas, and beat Shay Given to score.
This goal is so mind-boggling and stunning that it is hard to describe with words. So it might just be easier to watch and see why it lands as the number two goal of all time.
1. Roberto Carlos’ thunderbolt strike vs Tenerife (1998)
Roberto Carlos will go down in history as the man with the greatest free kick of all time and the greatest goal of all time. A goal that defied the laws of physics.
Playing for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey against Tenerife, the Brazilian left back turned the ball into a white projectile on a journey just beside the corner flag to the far top corner of of the opposing side’s net.
To this day, no one has a clue how that ball went in, or whether Carlos even intentionally attempted a shot on goal. That’s why Carlos’ goal against Tenerife is the best goal of all time.
