No handlebars here. In football, a bicycle kick — also known as an overhead or scissors kick — is one of the boldest moves in the game. It happens when a player leaps into the air, flips backward, and strikes the ball with both feet off the ground while facing away from goal. It’s athletic, instinctive, and unforgettable.

From Garnacho’s Premier League stunner to Zlatan’s long-range strike, these are some of the most unforgettable bicycle kicks ever scored.

🇦🇷 Alejandro Garnacho – vs. Manchester United (2023/24 Premier League)

Garnacho shocked Goodison Park with a ridiculous bicycle kick just minutes into the match. The height, timing, and confidence were all there. Bruno Fernandes summed it up after the game. “He’s watching too many Cristiano clips.”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 – Real Madrid vs. Liverpool (2018 Champions League Final)

Bale came off the bench, then made history. His overhead kick in the Champions League final didn’t just give Madrid the lead. It became the defining image of the match.

🇧🇷 Rivaldo – Barcelona vs. Valencia (2001 La Liga)

Barcelona needed a win to qualify for the Champions League. Rivaldo delivered, finishing a hat trick with an overhead kick from outside the box in the final moments.

🇸🇪 Zlatan Ibrahimović – Sweden vs. England (2012 Friendly)

The ball hung in the air. Zlatan turned, jumped, and somehow volleyed it in from over 30 yards. It was his fourth of the night and one of the wildest the game has ever seen.

🏴 Wayne Rooney – Manchester United vs. Manchester City (2011 Premier League)

The Manchester derby was in the balance. Rooney twisted midair and hit it clean. The strike flew into the top corner. Old Trafford exploded.

🇵🇹 Real Madrid vs. Juventus (2018 Champions League Quarter Final)

Even Juventus fans applauded. Ronaldo got off the ground like a gymnast, connected perfectly, and scored a goal that left Buffon rooted.

🇲🇽 Manuel Negrete – Mexico vs. Bulgaria (1986 World Cup)

A slick exchange and a soft layoff set up Negrete for one of the most graceful goals in tournament history. He floated into the kick and sent the ball into the corner.

🇮🇹 Mauro Bressan – Fiorentina vs. (1999 Champions League)

From more than 30 yards out, Bressan launched himself backward and looped the ball into the net. It was outrageous and unforgettable. Watch.

🇩🇪 Emre Can – Liverpool vs. Watford (2017 Premier League)

Can’s bicycle kick came from a full sprint and broke open a match that had been stuck in first gear. It was clean, balanced, and instinctive.

🇫🇷 Philippe Mexès – Milan vs. Anderlecht (2012 Champions League)

Mexès took the ball down with his chest, then pulled off an overhead strike that curled perfectly into the far corner. It didn’t look real.

🇧🇪 Christian Benteke – Liverpool vs. Manchester United (2015 Premier League)

Benteke hit this in one motion, catching the ball perfectly as it dropped. Even though Liverpool lost, the strike was pure class.