The 10 Greatest Goals in Football History – Ranked

July 19, 2025 Oliver Obel

Some goals go beyond mere statistics. They define eras, spark joy across generations, and serve as timeless moments of genius. From impossible solo runs to volleys of technical wizardry, these are the 10 greatest goals in football history – celebrated not just for how they were scored, but why they mattered.

10. Lionel Messi vs Athletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey Final, 2015)

In the 2015 Copa del Rey final, Lionel Messi received the ball near the touchline, jinked inside, beat three defenders, and calmly slotted it past the keeper. It was a moment of pure individual brilliance in a major final, underlining why he is widely considered the greatest ever.

9. George Weah vs Verona (Serie A, 1996)

George Weah picked up the ball in his own box after a Verona corner and surged 90 metres past a stream of defenders. His coast-to-coast effort, ending with a clinical finish, was a breathtaking blend of speed, power, and composure.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England (International Friendly, 2012)

Zlatan had already netted a hat-trick when he scored an outrageous 25-yard overhead kick after Joe Hart’s weak clearance. It was audacious, acrobatic, and unlike anything ever seen before in international football.

7. Carlos Alberto vs Italy (World Cup Final, 1970)

A team goal that embodied the essence of Brazilian football, Carlos Alberto finished off a nine-pass move involving eight players. It was the perfect crescendo to Brazil’s World Cup win and a tribute to teamwork, rhythm, and flair.

6. Lionel Messi vs Getafe (Copa del Rey Semi-final, 2007)

At just 19 years old, Messi dribbled from inside his own half, beating five defenders and the goalkeeper before scoring from a tight angle. The goal immediately drew comparisons to Maradona’s 1986 masterpiece and signaled Messi’s arrival as a global icon.

5. Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League Final, 2002)

Zidane's stunning left-footed volley at Hampden Park was a moment of balletic beauty under the biggest spotlight. With perfect timing and flawless technique, he etched his name into Champions League folklore.

4. Gareth Bale vs Liverpool (Champions League Final, 2018)

Coming off the bench, Bale produced a sensational bicycle kick just minutes into his appearance, shocking the world. It was an iconic strike that sealed Real Madrid’s 13th European title and silenced critics in one stroke.

3. Roberto Carlos vs France (Le Tournoi, 1997)

From 35 yards out, Roberto Carlos bent the laws of physics with his famous "banana kick" free-kick. The ball curled impossibly around the wall and into the net, becoming one of the most studied and admired goals in football history.

2. Marco van Basten vs USSR (Euro Final, 1988)

Striking the ball on the volley from an absurd angle, Van Basten sent it arcing over the goalkeeper into the top corner. The goal helped the Netherlands secure their first major title and remains a symbol of technical perfection.

1. Diego Maradona vs England (World Cup Quarter-final, 1986)

In a span of 11 seconds, Maradona danced past five England players before slotting the ball past Peter Shilton. The “Goal of the Century” captured beauty, audacity, and political symbolism, forever enshrining Maradona in footballing legend.