Top 10 Best Soccer Goals of All Time
Some goals aren't just scored, they're remembered like lightning strikes that set the stadium alight. You can probably picture a few already: that one impossible angle, that mid-air bicycle kick that seemed to suspend time, or the long-range screamer that made you question the laws of physics. These are the moments that make you leap from your seat, spill your drink, and yell a wordless mix of disbelief and joy.
This list asks you to decide which of those moments belongs among the best soccer goals of all time. Each goal represents more than just a ball in the net. It's a spark of genius, instinct, and audacity colliding in perfect sequence. You get to be the judge of which of those moments still gives you chills.
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Diego Maradona's Goal of the Century vs. England (1986 FIFA World Cup)
Maradona himself drove the ball through eight players and then shot past the goalkeeper into the goal. I know many people will say, That is an impossible thing in today's football and blah blah blah, but this is a goal to be remembered, and it was a tough time at that moment too.
This goal did make a mark in history. Easily the BEST goal of all time!
It's those iconic moments that make you the best player.
I really don't have to explain this pick.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović's 30-Yard Bicycle Kick vs. England (2012)
The longest bicycle kick, and the strength required to do that must be crazy!
This is the best player ever scoring the best goal ever.
This is the best goal ever scored in a football match.
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Roberto Carlos's Impossible Angle Goal vs. Tenerife (1998)
Best on the list and definitely in my top 3, but personally I think Rooney's overhead kick goal vs. Man City a couple of seasons back is the best goal ever.
How can you match this amazing goal, which will stand as one of the best goals in history? Roberto Carlos scored the banana kick.
This one was impossible, and he did it!
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Pelé's Gol de Placa vs. Fluminense (1961)
On March 5, 1961, Pelé scored "The Goal of the Plaque." Collecting the ball in his own penalty area, he beat the entire Fluminense team, dribbling the entire way without passing before scoring. A plaque at the entrance of Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was put up honoring the goal as the "most beautiful" ever in its history.
I did not see this goal, but it must have been outstanding to watch.
This was just... amazing. Indescribable.
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Mauro Bressan's Bicycle Kick vs. Barcelona (1999)
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Zinedine Zidane's Volley vs. Bayer Leverkusen (2002 UEFA Champions League Final)
To do that in a Champions League Final was crazy. Roberto Carlos set up a backwards pass over his head that somehow made its way to Zinedine Zidane. He swung his left leg, the weaker one, and smashed the ball into the top corner of the net, scoring the 2-1 goal and winning the Champions League Final, denying Bayer Leverkusen.
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Lionel Messi's Solo Goal vs. Getafe (2007 Copa del Rey)
He dribbled past many people with ease and juked the goalkeeper before slotting it. The commentator was livid, and the goal became the infamous "Ankara Messi" goal.
While people consider this an afterthought to Diego Maradona's goal, this is still one of the best goals in football history.
The best goal on the list, especially for a 19-year-old. Messi is truly the best player on the planet and maybe even of all time.
But I prefer Messi's goal vs. Bilbao in the Copa del Rey Final. It was literally scientifically impossible!
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George Best's Wonder Goal vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1981)
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Roberto Carlos's Banana Free Kick vs. France (1997)
How is this honestly not number 1? This goal was so incredible that scientists have studied it. He struck it with the outside of his foot from 115 feet away, and it was traveling at over 100 miles an hour. It was sick and could blow you out of your chair.
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Ricardo Fernandes's Scorpion Kick vs. Alki Larnaca (2013)
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Tim Cahill's Volley vs. Netherlands (2014 FIFA World Cup)
Brazil Legend Ronaldo said it was the best goal of the World Cup.
He volleyed a long ball from over the shoulder with his weaker foot straight over the keepers head.
The timing of the goal made it even better as it was only seconds after Arjen Robben had scored and the Netherlands fans were still celebrating.
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Lionel Messi's Solo Goal vs. Athletic Bilbao (2015 Copa del Rey Final)
This goal displayed pure perfection.
Absolutely insane goal, if hed hit the ball 1.5 milometers to the right or left of where he did he would have missed! He also reaches 19.5 mph in 2.73 seconds with the ball at his feet!
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Marco van Basten's Volley vs. Soviet Union (1988 UEFA European Championship Final)
Better than Maradona's Goal of the Century.
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David Beckham's Halfway Line Goal vs. Wimbledon (1996)
One of the best goals I've ever seen.
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Fabrizio Miccoli's Halfway Line Chip vs. Chievo (2012)
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Pelé's Goal vs. Juventus (1959)
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Dejan Stanković's Halfway Line Volley vs. Schalke 04 (2011)
That volley came from out of nowhere and definitely was a great goal.
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Maradona's Fastest Goal Ever vs. England (1986 FIFA World Cup)
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Radamel Falcao's Bicycle Kick vs. América de Cali (2012)
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Cristiano Ronaldo's Free Kick vs. Portsmouth (2008)
Surely this goal must be here. Poor old David James stood there helpless. It's like Ronaldo picked up the ball with his hands and put it into that top corner without anyone seeing it.
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Jack Wilshere's Team Goal vs. Norwich City (2013)
This is, from a teamplay-focused point of view, the best goal I have ever seen.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's Bicycle Kick vs. Juventus (2018 UEFA Champions League)
The bicycle kick was legendary, although you could argue Bale's was better that year, and I'd agree with you.
Best bicycle goal of all time.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović's Solo Goal vs. NAC Breda (2004)
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Ronaldinho's Bicycle Kick vs. Villarreal (2006)
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James McFadden's Long-Range Strike vs. France (2007)
Spectacular goal against France.
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Dennis Bergkamp's Turn and Goal vs. Newcastle United (2002)
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Thierry Henry's Volley vs. Manchester United (2000)
He flicked the ball up and volleyed it over Barthez. Highbury went mad.