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Cristiano Ronaldo provided yet another "wow" moment for his fans to cherish last week, when he unleashed one of the most sublime overhead kicks football has ever witnessed. It was one of those moments where time seems to just stop, and you can do nothing but watch, and bow down in appreciation if it goes in.
Ronaldo's goal was so beautiful, that it compelled even the Juventus fans to applaud the Portuguese - despite their team trailing 2-0 at the time.
That goal led many of the football fans to argue if it was the best overhead kick one has ever seen. Today, we look into the football archives to try to do just that...
While the quality a goal possesses is always open to debate, here's 5 bicycle-kicks we think are right up there with Cristiano's. Level of difficulty, the importance of the game, and skill-set of the player are some of the factors considered when choosing the following goals.
#5 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United vs Manchester City)
A Manchester derby locked at 1-1, and either team looking for an inspiration from just about anywhere. A City win would've spiced up the title race, as the Blues would have been only two points behind leaders United had they found a winner. Occasions don't get much bigger than this.
In such circumstances, almost inevitably, it was Wayne Rooney who stepped up, and how! The Englishman crept in between Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany and was then found by a delightful Nani cross, which he did full justice to. A finish you could watch over and over again, the goal was described perfectly by commentator Peter Drury:
What a goal! At what a time! In what a place!
Though it was only his 6th goal of the season, it gave United a massive three points, which helped them secure the title that season. Here's a clip in-case you want to relive what is one of the best moments in the history of Premier League football.
#4 Phillipe Mexes (AC Milan vs Anderlecht)
A Champions League special, made better by the fact that it comes from the boot of a centre-back! A very important goal too, it was the one that gave AC Milan a 2-0 lead and eventually proved to be the winner in a 3-1 victory.
Milan finished second in their group that season and Mexes played a big role in their European campaign.
The Italian controlled a free-kick whipped into the box on his chest, before timing his vault to perfection. The goalkeeper could only watch the ball land beautifully to his left and in the back of the net. A stunner by all means.
Sadly enough, Milan's stay in that season's Champions League was limited to just the Round of 16, where a rampant Barcelona knocked them out, despite the Italian giants winning the first leg.
#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden vs England)
We all know this one, and have seen this countless number of times. Zlatan Ibrahimovic never fails to come up with jaw-dropping moments, and this one is right up there.
Although it might be only a friendly, it still remains one of the best individual performances we've seen in recent years. The Swede stunned England with four unforgettable goals to help his country win 4-2.
The goals included a thumping volley, a free-kick, and the best of the lot - an overhead kick from 40 yards out. It's something that you have to see to believe.
The man himself was reminded of this beauty by Ronaldo's goal against Juventus, and it's fair to say he sees a clear winner between the two. Here's what he thinks about Ronaldo's goal:
It was a nice goal, but he should try it from 40 meters
#2 Rivaldo (Barcelona vs Valencia)
Final match of the season. Injury time. Barcelona and Valencia are locked at two goals each. Barcelona need to win to secure qualification in next season's Champions League. Frank de Boer chips a rather hopeful ball towards the penalty box, which finds Rivaldo. What happens next is what many call the best bicycle kick of all time. Talk about big moments.
If that wasn't big enough, it was the goal that completed Rivaldo's hat-trick that day. One of the many iconic moments we associate the Brazilian genius with, and possibly the very best.
To further add to the greatness of the event, it was Valencia themselves who were robbed off a Champions League place. Without the goal, it would've been Valencia who would finish fourth, four points ahead of Barcelona.
It was just the perfect occasion, for a genius to show his calibre, and that's exactly what Rivaldo did.
#1 Oscarine Masuluke (Baroka, v Orlando Pirates)
A rather unexpected and unheard-of name at the top, this goal comes from the South African Premier Division. Trailing 1-0 to Orlando Pirates, Baroka won themselves a corner in the 96th minute - a final chance to salvage something from the match.
Inevitably enough, Baroka's goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke (who now has earned himself a trial with giants Kaizer Chiefs) rushed up to get in the mix.
The corner was whipped in from the right, and when it met a Pirates head, one would've thought that the visitors had done just enough for all 3 points. But, it was the South-African Masukule who had the final say.
As the ball traveled away from goal, towards the edge of the box, Masukule let it drop once before unleashing one of the best overhead kicks you will ever see. Surely enough, it went into the back of the net, and was nominated for that year's Puskas award - eventually beaten by that goal by Olivier Giroud.
A 96th-minute equalizer from a goalkeeper with a bicycle kick. It might never happen again.
