Top 10 Best Soccer (Football) Goals of the 21st Century

The 20th century gave us some absolute screamers. Maradona weaving through half of England. Roberto Carlos casually redefining physics with a free kick from another zip code. But football didn't hit pause on brilliance once the new millennium rolled in. Not even close.

The 21st century has been a goldmine for jaw-dropping goals. Think volleys from impossible angles. Solo runs that turn defenders into confused bystanders. Long-range rockets that make you question the goalkeeper's life choices. The game's gotten faster, sharper, and more unpredictable. So have the goals.

This is your chance to vote for the ones that made your jaw drop. The ones that made you rewind the clip ten times and wonder if your eyes were playing tricks on you. Maybe it was an acrobatic bicycle kick. A no-look chip. A dribble that defied every coaching manual in existence. If it made you leap off the couch or spill your drink in disbelief, it deserves a shot at the top.

The Top Ten

Zlatan Ibrahimović's 30-Yard Bicycle Kick vs. England (2012)

On November 14, 2012, England played against Sweden in a friendly match to open a new stadium. Sweden was 2-1 down in the 76th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored three goals in 15 minutes to not only win the match for Sweden but become the first player to score a hat trick against England since Marco Van Basten in 1988.
What overshadowed Ibra's four goals and Steven Gerrard's 100th England cap, as well as the debuts of Sterling, Osman, Shawcross, Caulker, Carl Jenkinson, and Wilfried Zaha, was the last goal of the match. When goalkeeper Joe Hart failed to clear the ball, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored arguably the best goal of all time as he perfectly placed his 30-yard bicycle kick to the back of the net.
Robin van Persie's "Flying Dutchman" Volley vs. West Bromwich Albion (2014)

In the Netherlands' first game in the FIFA World Cup 2014 against the then world champions Spain, Robin Van Persie scored a majestic Flying Header. This is one of the best World Cup goals in many ways:
1 - Skill: Running to connect with the ball kicked from behind you from 40 meters away, hitting it perfectly at the right angle and with just the right power, and sacrificing all of the body to do this is just absolutely incredible.
2 - Mental Aspect: Thinking of scoring like this, under these circumstances, takes intelligence, creativity, and guts.
3 - Casillas is nailed to the ground. The checkmate play is exemplified by the fact that the keeper doesn't even begin to try to stop it.
4 - The goal is unique. There are tons of kicks or volleys that end up nicely in the crossing, but even those can get a little boring. The aesthetic value of this goal is unparalleled.
5 - Historic Value: This goal was scored in a match between two of the premier football countries in history, in one of the most exciting World Cup games ever. This goal also marks the definitive moment of the end of the incredibly successful era of Spanish football.
Lionel Messi's Goal vs. Turkey in Friendly at Ankara (2007)

In 2007, Lionel Messi scored arguably the finest goal of his illustrious career. Quite similar to Maradona's Goal of the Century, Messi received the ball in his own half, ran with pace through countless defenders, and followed it up with the coolest finish.

It's pretty amazing how quickly Messi became great. He was more or less still a kid when he got his first game for the full Barcelona team.
Kaká's Solo Run and Finish vs. Manchester United (2007)

In the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 semifinal match against Manchester United, Ricardo Kaka scored one of the most beautiful goals in the history of the competition.
Upon receiving the long ball from Dida, Kaka touched the ball four times, putting his creative genius on full display before hitting the ball home.
Ronaldinho's Free Kick vs. England (2002)

In the FIFA World Cup 2002, the legendary Brazil squad faced England in the quarterfinals. With the score tied 1-1 in the 57th minute, Ronaldinho scored one of the most epic free kicks from 50 yards away. English goalkeeper David Seaman still gets nightmares as he expected Ronaldinho's free kick to be a cross only to see it magically hit the net.
This goal ended up being the winning goal of the match and became a part of the legacy of "Football's Greatest Entertainment."

Probably the best free kick ever taken. Ronaldinho is such a magician!
Zlatan Ibrahimović's Solo Goal with Untied Shoelaces for Ajax (2004)

Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored many fantastic goals throughout his career. Among the earliest of them was a goal he scored for Ajax in 2004 against NAC Breda, which is still considered one of the finest goals of his career.
"I received the ball with a defender on my back. Another tried to challenge me, but I kept the ball from both. Then I turned and saw the goal. I was going towards the goal dribbling past players... bam, bam, bam!... as I searched for a moment to shoot. It didn't come, so I kept on going past different players. Then I was past the goalkeeper." - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Rafael van der Vaart's Back-Heel Goal (2003)

Back in 2003, when Van der Vaart was playing for Ajax against rival Feyenoord, he scored this superb over-the-head backheel, which became an instant classic.
Ronaldinho's Overhead Goal vs. Villarreal (2006)

Ronaldinho was having one of his best La Liga seasons in 2006-07, and his brilliance never failed to entertain the fans. But one of his best goals for Barcelona was an overhead kick he scored against Villarreal. The magician received a cross from Xavi in the penalty area, controlled it with his chest before falling, and scored a magnificent goal.
Dennis Bergkamp's Pirouette and Finish vs. Newcastle United (2002)

Had Dennis Bergkamp not been a footballer, he would have been an architect. On March 2, 2002, Bergkamp scored the iconic "Pirouette Goal," the sheer ingenuity of which was never seen before and never replicated again.
Faiz Subri's Free Kick (2016)

In a Malaysian league game between Penang and Pahang, Faiz Subri scored this physics-defying free kick. Even the legend Roberto Carlos was impressed.

The Newcomers

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Zlatan Ibrahimović's Debut Goal for LA Galaxy (2018)

Just 6 minutes after he was introduced to the field in his first match for LA Galaxy, Zlatan scored a half-volley from 45 yards out.
"The fans wanted Zlatan, and I gave them Zlatan." - Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the game.
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Zinedine Zidane's Panenka Penalty in UEFA Champions League Final (2006)

The Contenders

Neymar Jr.'s Solo Run and Finish vs. Flamengo (2011)

Neymar is one of the most popular Brazilians in recent memory. The superstar saw success with the Brazil national team, FC Barcelona, and Paris Saint Germain. But his best piece of art comes from his young days at Santos, in which he scored a masterpiece of a solo goal.
After picking up the ball near the halfway line and humiliating multiple opponents with his trickery and skills, Neymar netted the ball with a cool finish and took home the Puskas Award later that year.
Patrik Schick's Super Strike (2021)

Patrik Schick became the breakout star of Euro 2020 with this unforgettable goal. Not only did he score from halfway, but he also curled the ball elegantly towards home.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Header vs. Sampdoria (2019)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a number of amazing headers in his career. But the most extraordinary one has to be the gravity-defying header against Sampdoria. The Portuguese superstar jumped higher (8.39 ft) than the crossbar to head the ball home. The athleticism Ronaldo displayed here in his mid-30s is almost inhuman.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Bicycle Kick vs. Juventus (2018)

In the quarterfinals of UCL 2018 against Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo jumped 7.5 feet to score this stunning bicycle kick, which is widely regarded as the best goal of his outstanding career.

The perfect definition of an overhead bicycle kick. Pure perfection, and what timing!
Sergio Ramos's 92:48 Equalizer vs. Atlético Madrid (2014)

The goal that turned Sergio Ramos into a Real Madrid legend. Why wouldn't it? After finishing 90 minutes 1-0 down to Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid was saved by Ramos's header in injury time. This eventually led to Real winning the match 4-1 after extra time, ending their 12-year UCL drought and winning 'La Décima'.
Lionel Messi's Goal vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014)

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the 2014 World Cup against newcomers Bosnia and Herzegovina. As he danced past the defenders and sent the ball home, the crowd roared their hearts out.
Lionel Messi's Last-Minute Goal at the Bernabéu vs. Real Madrid (2017)

On April 23, 2017, Lionel Messi scored his 500th goal for Barcelona in the last minute of El Clásico to secure a 3-2 win for his club before showing his jersey to the Madrid fans.
Olivier Giroud's Scorpion Kick vs. Crystal Palace (2017)

In 2017, Olivier Giroud scored this outrageous scorpion kick to start Arsenal's new year with a victory against Crystal Palace.
James Rodríguez's Spinning Volley vs. Uruguay (2014)

The breakout star of the FIFA World Cup 2014, James Rodríguez scored this unforgettable goal against Uruguay. From his off-the-ball movement to his rocket of a left-foot volley, everything screamed 'class' as James Rodríguez presented himself to the world.
Steven Gerrard's Last-Minute Goal in FA Cup Final vs. West Ham United (2006)

Liverpool was on the brink of losing the FA Cup final to West Ham before Steven Gerrard scored this fantastic volley from 35 yards out to take the match to extra time from where Liverpool would win on penalties.
Siphiwe Tshabalala's Opening Goal vs. Mexico (2010)

In the first match of the 2010 World Cup South Africa, Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a stunning goal which will go down as the greatest opening goal in World Cup history.
Peter Drury's spine-tingling commentary and the iconic celebration drove home the fact that we were witnessing history.
Ronaldinho's First Goal in "Clásico" at the Bernabéu vs. Real Madrid (2005)

On November 19, 2005, Ronaldinho brought the Santiago Bernabéu to its feet as he was ducking and weaving through players unlike anyone. The Brazilian genius left one of the greatest goalkeepers powerless as he fired past Iker Casillas in a sensational solo goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Long-Range Strike vs. Porto (2009)

In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo won the first-ever Puskas Award by scoring a rocket from 40 yards out against Porto to take Manchester United to the semifinals of the Champions League.
Neymar Jr.'s Opening Goal vs. Japan (2013)

Neymar was such a treat to watch in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the opening match of the tournament, the Brazilian wonder boy scored this screamer of a volley which made the Estádio Nacional explode in joy.
Ronaldinho's Second Goal in "Clásico" at the Bernabéu vs. Real Madrid (2005)

On November 19, 2005, Ronaldinho was simply unplayable. Los Blancos looked in fear as Dinho slotted his second goal. Even the Madrid fans at Bernabéu looked in awe and gave him a standing ovation, an honor previously given only to Diego Maradona.