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The football world went wild following Cristiano Ronaldo’s amazing overhead kick goal against Juventus in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
That goal by the Portuguese was a real piece of magic, and it was best explained by the standing ovation given him by the home fans at the Juventus stadium.
Many have said a lot about Ronaldo’s overhead kick goal and, in truth, it falls in the category of great goals ever to be scored in the Champions League.
However, there are goals that were scored by other players that are on a par or even probably better than that of the Real Madrid forward.
The technique, timing, and calculation needed to execute such a goal demands a combination of brain and talent – two attributes which Ronaldo combined to perfection in beating Buffon with his overhead kick goal.
Below are five overhead kick goals that are better than the one scored by Ronaldo’s against Juventus.
#5 Trevor Sinclair vs Barnsley
Former QPR striker Trevor Sinclair scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of the FA Cup when he scored with a looping overhead kick against Barnsley in a 4th round tie in 1997.
The former England international was on the receiving end of a poor cross from teammate John Spencer from the right side. However, the forward just managed to time the ball perfectly, before unleashing an overhead kick into the right corner.
Sinclair took that wonderful shot from outside the box, but the technique with which he struck the ball, coupled with the fact that his back was to the goal, made the strike special.
In fact, the distance was even farther than the goal which was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo against Juventus.
#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has often referred to himself as a football god, and his goal against England in a 2012 international friendly truly showed he was out of this world.
Sweden were leading the Three Lions 3-2 with just seconds left to the end of the game. However, a fluffed clearance from Joe Hart allowed Ibrahimovic to hit an overhead kick from 30 yards which flew right into the England net.
The goal sealed a 4-2 win for Sweden, and the manner in which it was scored was truly deserving of a match winner on any day.
It is no coincidence that Ibrahimovic’s overhead kick goal in that game has been compared to that of Ronaldo’s because it was a special goal by all standards.
#3 Xherdan Shaqiri vs Poland
Xherdan Shaqiri has scored many great goals in his young football career, but none so far comes close to his strike at UEFA Euro 2016 against Poland.
The Stoke City winger scored with a spectacular overhead kick to draw Switzerland level in the knockout tie after Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a first-half lead.
Shaqiri benefited from a loose ball and quickly improvised by delivering an overhead kick that left Lukasz Fabianski catching thin air.
The technique used in scoring that goal was also suspect, and it can be rated in the same bracket as that which was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo.
#2 Philippe Mexes vs Anderlecht
AC Milan fans have seen many great goals from the numerous legends that that donned the famous red and black stripes jersey. But in Philippe Mexes, the Rossoneri faithful have the memory of a goal that will forever be etched in their hearts.
Milan were already 1-0 up against Anderlecht in a Champions League group stage game in 2012. The Italian giants had a free-kick from the left side which was taken short, however, Mexes met the ball with a stunning overhead kick which found its way at the back of the net.
The goal turned out to be the match-winner, as AC Milan run out 2-1 victors at the end of the game. Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Juventus was a pure beauty, but that of Mexes was equally out of this world.
#1 Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City
The Manchester derby is one of the most historic fixtures in football. And in 2011 the fixture was matched by an artistic goal from Wayne Rooney against neighbors Manchester City.
Rooney closely timed a cross from Luis Nani and hit a sumptuous overhead kick which left Joe Hart rooted to his post as the ball flew in.
It eventually turned out to be the match winner and laid the foundation for the gap in the points table that delivered the Premier League title to Manchester United.
Till date, Rooney’s goal is regarded as one of the greatest ever goals to have been scored in the Premier League.
