We’ll never forget them — the goals that put us in awe and left us asking: “How did he just do that?” These are some of the craziest goals of all-time. Get your popcorn ready!
Roberto Carlos, Real Madrid Vs. Tenerife, 1997/98
In a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Tenerife, Roberto Carlos went for the impossible and shot the ball from the corner edge. He completely duped the goalie, who came off the goalline to disrupt the cross and never stood a chance to track back in time to save Roberto’s blast.
Roberto Carlos, Brazil v France 1997
Roberto Carlos, take two. Known as the banana kick, Carlos’s 35-yard thunderous blast against France in a friendly has been doing rounds on the internet for nearly two decades. Given the goal’s trajectory that defied physics, we suspect that people will be talking about this absurd curler for many more decades to come.
Robin Van Persie, Holland vs. Spain World Cup 2014
With 102 caps and 50 goals, the Dutch forward Robin Van Persie enjoyed a couple of spells of success at the international level. He helped lead The Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final where the team lost against Spain. In 2014, then captain Van Persie scored one of the most entertaining goals of the 2014 tournament with a one-time flying header off a 40-yard lob.
Arjen Robben, Holland vs. Spain World Cup 2014
It’s possible to have two crazy goals in one game. In the same match as Van Persie’s Flying Dutchman goal, Robben makes a 23 mph run against Spain to score a wonder goal. And he still has more than enough energy to celebrate it. Unreal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid vs. Valencia, La Liga 2013/2014
In another unimaginable goal, Ronaldo used his back heel to karate kick a goal into the back of the net to equalize against Valencia in the 95th minute.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden vs. England (Nov 2012)
With a 30-yard free-kick, Zlatan Ibrahimovic put his side up 3-2 against England to complete the hat trick. But the fourth goal topped it off. In one of the most ridiculous goals of all-time, Ibrahimovic scored a 30-yard overhead kick that has been on replay around the world ever since.
Darren Bent, Sunderland vs Liverpool, 2009
In a match between Liverpool and Sunderland, striker Darren Bent scores one of the stranger goals of all-time by ricocheting a strike off a beach ball.
Pablo Hernandez, Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid 2014
In one of the more amazing goals you’ll ever see, Celta Vigo midfielder Pablo Hernandez nicks a no-look backheel at a seemingly impossible angle. Take a bow.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden vs Italy, Euro 2004
We can never get enough of Ibra’s acrobatics. In this insane goal from Euro 2004, Zlatan exploits his six foot five frame in a crowd of Italian defenders to knock in a back heel kick. Please clap.
Gareth Bale, Real Madrid vs. Liverpool 2018 Champions League Final
On the biggest stage in the biggest game, Gareth Bale delivered one of the best bicycle kicks the world has ever seen. Angered for not starting the game, the super sub came in and just went for it. It’ll be one of the top-ranked bicycle kicks for years to come.
Ronaldo vs Juventus, 2018 Champions League Quarter Final
With over 100 goals in Champions League, Ronaldo will need to look no further for his one of his absurd goals when he sprung into the air like a gymnast and smashed the ball in the back of the net. Not bad for a so-called aging 33-year-old.