Goals. They're what we all watch football for and we will simply never get bored of them.
Whether it be a 40-yard humdinger, slaloming solo strike, acrobatic worldie or slapstick own goal, everybody has their personal preference. Therefore, deciding on which specific efforts are the best is a pretty tough assignment.
However, the sheer joy of rewatching an array of sensational strikes has fuelled us and we've assembled a list of the 15 greatest goals our beautiful sport has seen over the years.
Now, this is a definitive list, so if you're favourite thunderbolt or halfway line lob is missing then that's just too darn bad.
15. Robin van Persie vs Spain (2014)
#OnThisDay years ago, @Persie_Official scored THAT #WorldCup goal for @OnsOranje pic.twitter.com/2Bv62wCrfv
FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 13, 2019
We have tried to embrace a variety of goals within our list but you will be relieved to hear that this is the only header that makes the cut. That's because it's arguably the greatest header ever scored.
Flashback to the 2014 World Cup and defending world champions Spain faced the side they had conquered four years earlier in the showpiece event. This time they duelled in the group stage and the Netherlands earned some sweet, sweet revenge.
A 5-1 comeback thrashing was led by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, the latter equalising with a truly extraordinary diving header. Throwing all of his might at a wonderful cross-field pass, the former Arsenal and Manchester United forward scooped an incredible effort up and over Iker Casillas.
14. Papiss Cisse vs Chelsea (2012)
Former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse scored 37 Premier League goals but 36 of them have been completely forgotten. The one that remains is a strike that defied belief - and physics - to stun a flabbergasted Stamford Bridge crowd.
The ball dropped kindly to the Senegalese centre-forward 25 yards from goal on the corner of the penalty area and it was simply too good to refuse. Striking the ball high into the air, Cisse's dipping and curling effort flew beyond the head of a helpless Petr Cech.
Hardly surprising that this one won the Premier League's Goal of the Season award.
13. Steven Gerrard vs West Ham (2006)
Steven Gerrard was known for his well-timed thunderbolts, often with the weight of the team perched on his shoulders, but he saved his greatest individual strike for the dying embers of the FA Cup final in 2006.
With Liverpool losing 3-2 to West Ham as the fourth official raised his board for added time, Gerrard produced an extraordinary daisy-cutter from 35 yards that rifled into the bottom of the corner to send the game to extra time.
Liverpool went on to win on penalties and the match was rightfully coined 'the Gerrard final'.
12. Paul Gascoigne vs Scotland (1996)
It's impressive when one of football's greatest goals is swiftly followed by one of football's greatest celebrations, but England supporters were fortunate enough to witness both at the 1996 European Championship on home soil.
With the Three Lions a goal to the good against bitter rivals Scotland and the Tartan Army having seen a penalty saved, football's most notorious party animal Paul Gascoigne delivered the fatal blow as England secured a memorable victory.
Gazza was played into space on the edge of the box and proceeded to flick the ball delicately over Colin Hendry's head before lashing a fierce volley past Andy Goram. He followed up with the iconic 'dentist's chair' celebration to rub salt in Scottish wounds.
11. Jack Wilshere vs Norwich (2013)
Team goals often fade into the background when discussions begin regarding the greatest goals, with 30-yard volleys and mazy dribbles stealing the headlines. However, rather fittingly, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal scored one of the all-time classic team efforts.
The Gunners swiftly moved the ball from back to front and an attack that started with Jack Wilshere ended with the Englishman. Some sensational one-touch passing around the edge of the Norwich City box involved Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and some delightful flicks before culminating in a composed side-footed finish.
It was Wenger's dream Arsenal goal and the kind of strike that is seldom seen.
10. Carlos Alberto vs Italy (1970)
The ULTIMATE Team Goal!
FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 17, 2022
Carlos Alberto put the finishing touches on this amazing Brazil move with a sensational strike! #BornBrave | @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/dKi455skpa
Speaking of team goals, this one wasn't half bad either, with Brazil producing one of their most iconic strikes in the World Cup final itself in 1970.
Brazil already found themselves 3-1 ahead in the closing minutes but flexed their superior quality on a tiring Italy side in the 86th minute. A beautiful team move ended with Pele releasing Carlos Alberto in the penalty area and the flying full-back hammering an effort into the far corner.
Widely considered Brazil's greatest ever team - and that's saying something - the five-time World Cup winners put on a show in Mexico.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Juventus (2018)
En route to winning yet another Champions League crown, Real Madrid produced two of the most astonishing acrobatic strikes ever seen. The first came in the quarter-final and it was unsurprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo who produced the moment of genius against future employers Juventus.
The incredible athleticism and physique of the Portuguese superstar was on full show at the Allianz Stadium, with Ronaldo rising like an orca to meet a cross on the penalty spot.
Reaching an incredible height, Ronaldo produced a clean connection on his overhead kick, with the ball nestling beyond a flat-footed Gianluigi Buffon. You can't blame the Italian goalkeeper for not seeing that one coming.
8. Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen (2002)
Have you seen a better #UCLfinal goal?
UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 15, 2019
Real Madrid legend Zindine Zidane scored THIS volley #OnThisDay in 2002!#UCL | @realmadrid https://t.co/lN17SBFISY pic.twitter.com/yXquI3qkzz
From one Real Madrid legend to another, Zinedine Zidane was also more than capable of producing clutch moments of magic for Los Blancos on the grandest stage.
A Bayer Leverkusen side starring the likes of Michael Ballack and Lucio stood in Madrid's way of their ninth Champions League title in the 2002 final at Hampden Park and the latter even scored to cancel out Raul's early strike.
However, Zidane proved the difference-maker on the stroke of half-time, producing a simply sumptuous volley from Roberto Carlos' looped cross to the edge of the area. Hitting such a controlled yet powerful volley as the ball drops from 20 feet in the air is quite something.
7. Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle (2002)
Dennis Bergkamp is quick to shush those who claim his otherworldly strike against Newcastle in 2002 was a fluke. "For many goals, players just decide at the last moment what theyre going to do. That was the same with me," said the Dutchman.
Bergkamp had the habit of making the sublime look straightforward and his remarkably delicate flick, turn and strike against the Magpies proved just that.
If it were any other player, you would perhaps think it was more than a little fortunate. With Bergkamp, there's simply no doubt he meant it.
6. Roberto Carlos vs France (1997)
On this day in 1997, Roberto Carlos scored this incredible free-kick against France... https://t.co/f5C9vOsXdD
90s Football (@90sfootball) June 3, 2024
Roberto Carlos was renowned for his dynamite-powered left foot and evidence of its ability was on full show in 1997 during a clash between Brazil and France.
A 35-yard free kick requires an expert blend of power and precision and Carlos provided exactly that following a 15-yard run up. Bending a wicked strike around the outside of the wall and post, the left-back's effort curled inside the frame of the goal at the last minute.
It wasn't the last stunner of Carlos' career, that's for certain.
5. Gareth Bale vs Liverpool (2018)
Madrid icon Zidane comfortably laid claim to the greatest Champions League or European Cup final goal of all time prior to 2018. However, he was outdone by his own player while managing the Spanish giants in the showpiece event against Liverpool.
Having already witnessed Ronaldo score one of the great Champions League goals in the last eight, Zidane this time stood stunned on the touchline as Gareth Bale produced an even more remarkable bicycle kick to clinch victory for Los Blancos in the final.
Marcelo's cross was slightly behind the Welshman but that mattered little as his slender frame rose into the air and crashed home a thunderous volley beyond the dazed Loris Karius.
4. Marco van Basten vs Soviet Union (1988)
Best EURO final goal?
UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) October 31, 2020
Happy birthday, Marco Van Basten #HBD | @OnsOranje | @MarcoVanBasten pic.twitter.com/qoiK17YqGT
The Netherlands have Marco van Basten to thank for their greatest achievement on the international stage, with the prolific centre-forward's five goals at Euro 1998 helping the Oranje claim a first major international trophy.
The three-time Ballon d'Or champion saved his best contribution for the final, however, unleashing one of the greatest volleys ever witnessed from the acutest of angles.
Scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win over the Soviet Union, Van Basten launched an incredible volley over the head of Rinat Dasayev. Just stunning.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England (2012)
There may be some debate over the best overhead or acrobatic kick of all time, but we've opted for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's stunner against England in a 4-2 victory in 2012.
While not the biggest match of his career, it was arguably the Swede's greatest strike, punishing some poor sweeping from England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The England number one found himself stranded 30 yards from his goal after a poor clearance and Ibrahimovic took advantage with an exceptional overhead effort from range. You won't find an overhead kick scored from further out than this.
2. Lionel Messi vs Getafe (2007)
One of the first goals that offered the world a glimpse of Lionel Messi's virtuosity, the diminutive eight-time Ballon d'Or winner arguably hasn't bettered his stunning solo strike against Getafe for Barcelona in 2007.
Picking the ball up in his own half, the Argentine proceeded to beat four Getafe defenders and the goalkeeper with his characteristic close control and ingenuity before passing into an empty net.
Messi has scored hundreds of beautiful goals in his time but few can match this one.
1. Diego Maradona vs England (1986)
It's fitting that Messi and Diego Maradona rub shoulders at the top of our list, with the latter producing a similarly exceptional solo effort on the international stage a year before Messi was even born.
Voted the Goal of the Century by FIFA voters in 2002, the Argentine - having already scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal - slalomed beyond England challenge after challenge in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final before rounding Peter Shilton and rolling home.
One of football's greatest magicians showed both aspects of his persona in a memorable last eight duel but it's his wonder strike that we prefer to remember.
READ THE LATEST NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS AND MATCH REACTION
feed
