Notts County forward, Elisha Sam, scored an unbelievable against Oxford City last week. The ball was crossed into the Belgian on the edge of the box, who back heeled it on the volley to go over the goalkeeper. The timing, skill and audacity to pull the goal off was remarkable.
Good goals happen a lot in football. But a player will only score a ‘jaw-dropping’ goal every so often, ask Sam. So it seems fitting to do a list of the top five goals of all time.
“It’s unbelievable,” Sam said. “After I saw the defender I thought I cannot go for the header so I thought I’m just gonna do this. And then when I touched it, I saw it was a good touch and then I saw it go over the goalkeeper. In my head, I went crazy.”
It goes without saying, more than five goals could fit in this list. However, based on the skill and importance of the goals, this is the best five.
Diego Maradona vs England 1986
As an England fan, it is painful to put this goal in the list. But bias aside, it really can’t be left out.
A strong England squad had advanced from Group F of the 1986 World Cup and beat Paraguay 3-0 in the round of 16. The team then faced Maradona’s Argentina.
Maradona was undoubtedly the best player in the world and this goal only cemented that status. Four minutes after the ‘Hand of God’, the 5 foot 4 inch forward picked the ball up at half way. With the ball glued to his feet, he ran through the England defence with the poise and elegance of a slalom skier. He eventually found himself in the box where he strode past Peter Shilton and passed it into the goal.
The effortless nature of the goal was almost insulting to England, especially considering he was probably hungover. The goal is known as ‘The goal of the century’ with Argentina winning the game 2-1 and going on to win the tournament.
Roberto Carlos vs Tenerife 1997
Similar to many others, when I first saw the goal, I couldn’t believe it. I’d heard how brilliant Carlos was, but this was something else. If you wanted to encapsulate Brazilian flair in a goal, this would be it.
The ball is played in the air to the defender on the left wing. He lets it bounce three times to the point where the ball is in line with the goal. He then hits it in the air and it rockets to the far corner.
The audacity to try such a shot is through the roof. Everyone is in shock, apart from Carlos. He simply stands there, completely aware of the ability he posses. What a goal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovich vs Nac Breda 2004
Speaking of confidence in ability, Ibrahimovich has that and then some. Scoring this goal in your early twenties is sure to do that.
Ibra receives the ball outside the box, almost losing it. Once he regains possession, he goes forward 15 yards, completely taking defenders out the game with his turns. He eventually moves past five defenders, before faking the keeper and rolling the ball in.
Ibra is often associated with strength- standing at 6 foot 5 inch, striking the ball with such power and having an alpha mindset. However, he is able to squeeze through defenders with such elegance. Always in control and aware of his defenders, the goal is an amazing display of skill.
Lionel Messi vs Getafe 2007
At the start of his professional career, Messi was slowly establishing himself. Once he scored this goal, there was a real buzz around the 20-year-old.
Similar to ‘The goal of the century’ by fellow Argentine, Maradona, the goal is considered as the best goal ever.
The forward receives the ball on the right wing, immediately dribbling around two defenders. He then cuts in, moving towards the box where he weaves between two players to pass the ball in the goal.
Messi is able to quickly transfer the ball and his body to avoid defenders at speed. It’s like watching a gazelle escaping a lion with its array of moves. His goal also takes all of 10 seconds – generational.
Jack Wilshere vs Norwich 2013
You may not think it, but I’m not an Arsenal fan. In fact, I’m the very opposite. However, this is the epitome of a ‘team goal’.
Starting on the left wing, Santi Carzola, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud combine for five quick passes in just eight seconds. Moving the ball between each other faster than a pinball machine. The final passes between Wilshere and Giroud are perfectly timed ‘flick ons’ to break the Norwich defence and give Wilshere an open goal to finish.
I truly believe you could have prime John Terry and Rio Ferdinand playing for Norwich that day and they’d be left just as clueless.
It was a great worked goal by Arsenal and a young Wilshere, which is one to be remembered in the Premier League for some time.
By Harry Hughes