In shortNumber 1 in our ranking is Maradona against England, followed by Zidane's volley and Messi against Getafe.
Choosing the greatest goals in football history is impossible without leaving out true works of art. We weighed difficulty, beauty and context: scoring in a friendly is not the same as scoring in a World Cup final.
Where is Ronaldinho’s goal against Chelsea? Or Sergio Ramos’s header in Lisbon? Vote below or suggest your goal.
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1. Maradona against England
1986 World Cup in Mexico · Quarter-final
He picks up the ball in his own half, leaves half the England team behind and rounds the goalkeeper. Minutes after the 'Hand of God', he scored the goal voted Goal of the Century in a FIFA public poll.
2. Zidane's volley
2002 Champions League final · Real Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
A looping cross from Roberto Carlos and an impossible left-footed volley at Hampden Park. It gave Madrid their ninth European Cup.
3. Messi against Getafe
2007 Copa del Rey · Semi-final first leg
A carbon copy of Maradona's goal at the Camp Nou: a run from his own half, a string of dribbles and a finish after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. He was 19.
4. Van Basten against the USSR
Euro 1988 final
A volley from an almost impossible angle near the byline. It sealed the final and gave the Netherlands their only major title.
5. Iniesta in Johannesburg
2010 World Cup final · Spain v Netherlands
116th minute of extra time. A first touch and a cross-shot that made Spain world champions for the first time. Perhaps not the most beautiful, but the most important for Spanish football.
6. Roberto Carlos's free kick
1997 Tournoi de France · Brazil v France
A shot that seems to be going wide and swerves at the last moment to go in by the post. Its spin is still studied today.
7. Ibrahimović's bicycle kick
2012 friendly · Sweden v England
A bicycle kick from around 30 metres with the goalkeeper out of his area. It won him the Puskás Award for goal of the year.
8. Bale's bicycle kick
2018 Champions League final · Real Madrid v Liverpool
He came off the bench and, shortly afterwards, connected with a perfect bicycle kick in Kyiv. One of the most iconic images of any European final.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin
2018 Champions League · Quarter-final, Juventus v Real Madrid
A bicycle kick at great height that left the home fans applauding on their feet. A rare sight in football.
10. Rivaldo's bicycle kick
La Liga 2000-01 · Barcelona v Valencia
Final matchday, 89th minute: a bicycle kick from the edge of the box to complete a hat-trick and send Barça into the Champions League. Pure drama.
Frequently asked questions
What is the greatest goal of all time?
Maradona's goal against England at the 1986 World Cup was voted Goal of the Century in a FIFA poll and tops our ranking.
What is the most important goal in Spain's history?
Iniesta's goal in the 2010 World Cup final gave Spain its first World Cup. In 2026, Ferran Torres scored the goal that brought the second.
Would you change the order?
Tell us what's missing, what shouldn't be here or what you'd put at number 1.