Football fans were left in awe of what they just saw when Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a sensational bicycle kick in Real Madrid‘s 3-0 first-leg Champions League win against Juventus.
It was another fine effort from the Portuguese star and will surely be talked about in years to come.
In no particular order, we kick off with ZZ.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE v BAYER LEVERKUSEN, 2002
A fitting goal from one of the sport’s legends. Fans and millions worldwide applauded the Frenchman after he scored one of the finest goals in Champions League history. In the final in Glasgow, Roberto Carlos looped in a high cross from the left and an unmarked Zidane closely followed the ball in the air and when it was heading back to the ground, set himself nicely to hit a sensational volley. It was even more sweeter considering it settled the showpiece and another Champions League title for Los Blancos.
GABRIEL BATISTUTA v ARSENAL, 1999
The Argentine hit one of the best goals at the Old Wembley Stadium in Fiorentina’s group stage clash, with Batigol underlining his status as one of the deadliest strikers around. Surging down the line after a counter-attack, his angle was getting narrower with every passing moment but he unleashed a ferocious strike that gave David Seaman no chance at all.
RAUL v MANCHESTER UNITED, 2000
It was one of the easiest goals the Spanish legend scored but it was all about the the magical touch of Fernando Redondo. Fooling Henning Berg, Redondo back-heeled the ball past the defender before running past him and setting up the Prince of Madrid with a cut back across the six-yard box, creating a simple tap-in at Old Trafford.
DEJAN STANKOVIC v FC SCHALKE, 2011
If it wasn’t for Manuel Neuer rushing out of his goal, Dejan Stankovic would not have been celebrating one of his best goals. Just inside the opposition half, the Serbian tried his luck with a volley – and we’re glad he did. With great technique and vision, he got enough power for the ball to fly over the German and into an empty net.
RONALDINHO V CHELSEA, 2005
The Brazilian has scored some wonder goals during his career and his strike at Stamford Bridge is certainly up there. Trailing 4-2 on aggregate, Ronaldinho found himself marked by three Chelsea players but still, somehow, sold a fake shot dummy before toe-poking it past a stunned Petr Cech.
ANDRES INIESTA v CHELSEA, 2011
A goal that shattered Chelsea’s hearts and that too with just seconds left on the clock. Trailing 1-0 and in need of a goal to go through to the final on the away goals rule, Barca went on the attack. With plenty of defenders around him, Lionel Messi rolled the ball to Andres Iniesta outside the box and the Spanish playmaker stuck the ball as cleanly as you’ll see with the outside of his boot into the top corner.
STEVEN GERRARD v OLYMPIAKOS, 2004
Liverpool were left needing three goals to advance out of the group stages after falling behind early on at Anfield but their captain made sure there was Champions League football after Christmas with a sensational third strike. From 25 yards out, Steven Gerrard struck the ball so sweetly to send the crowd wild.
LARS RICKEN V JUVENTUS, 1996
The German would not have scored a better goal in his whole career than the one against Juventus. On the pitch for just 20 seconds, the substitute made an instant impact by catching Angelo Peruzzi off guard with a glorious scooping strike to seal Dortmund’s first and only Champions League trophy.
CRISTIANO RONALDO v FC PORTO, 2009
Manchester United travelled to Portugal knowing they needed to score and they did that in some style thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. Receiving the ball from 40 yards out, the attacker only had one thing on his mind and send a piledriver on its way. Travelling at 64.2mph, the ball arrowed into the top corner to take United through.
LIONEL MESSI v REAL MADRID, 2011
Out of all places, Lionel Messi chose the Bernabeu – home of Barcelona’s arch rivals – to score one of his most memorable goals. Getting the ball from Busquets, the Argentine blazed forward before beating four defenders including Marcelo and Sergio Ramos to slot the ball past a helpless Iker Casillas.
