BIG FORUM VOTE: The greatest goal of all time!!

You don't need 15, just one goal....

Video:



And for good measure, a description of the legendary Amigo, copied and pasted from football icons (where else would I get it...... ☕ )

"Fernando (like Magellan discovering a path to India) went for the ball, cut slightly to his right—which for our guy Pletikos was left). He leaned onto his right shoulder, lunged left, using all that height and width, and then it was like "late night jazz": Baiano just tapped the ball and it started crawling toward the net. Like a snail. Don Fernando pulled off a trick I've never seen before; he chased the ball, people, he actually chased it, following it like a bocce player follows an idea. Slow, slow. The ball crawls, Baiano crawls, and Pletikos, who's practically glued to the goalpost, realizes it's not over yet. And because of him, the drama turns into tragedy. It's like an old Greek play where even the gods catch their breath. A Split resident turns around, thinking: "Wait, I can save this..." He rises, spins, and dives for the bottom right corner, and look, he's already reached the ball... will he grab it with his fingertips, will he...? No, he won't. It crosses the line anyway. Just barely: over the line! The goal of all goals."

No more questions..? Thanks a lot!...

Keep it steady.. ☕☕☕

😁>

loneeagle6 said:You don't need 15, just one goal....

Video:

And for good measure, a description of the legendary Amigo, copied and pasted from football icons (where else would I get it...... ☕ )

"Fernando (like Magellan discovering a path to India) went for the ball, cut slightly to his right—which for our guy Pletikos was left). He leaned onto his right shoulder, lunged left, using all that height and width, and then it was like "late night jazz": Baiano just tapped the ball and it started crawling toward the net. Like a snail. Don Fernando pulled off a trick I've never seen before; he chased the ball, people, he actually chased it, following it like a bocce player follows an idea. Slow, slow. The ball crawls, Baiano crawls, and Pletikos, who's practically glued to the goalpost, realizes it's not over yet. And because of him, the drama turns into tragedy. It's like an old Greek play where even the gods catch their breath. A Split resident turns around, thinking: "Wait, I can save this..." He rises, spins, and dives for the bottom right corner, and look, he's already reached the ball... will he grab it with his fingertips, will he...? No, he won't. It crosses the line anyway. Just barely: over the line! The goal of all goals."

No more questions..? Thanks a lot!...

Keep it steady.. ☕☕☕

😁>

🤣
Now I just remembered that "great goalkeeper secret" from fuck now thousand dinar 😁

Honestly, there’s zero point even debating this... Maradona's goal against England—where he just snatched the ball in his own half and danced through half their entire squad—is already etched in stone as the greatest goal ever. I mean, think about it! That goal has everything you could possibly want: it happened on the biggest stage, in a high-stakes knockout match, against a massive opponent, delivered by an absolute legend in the middle of a legendary solo run... plus, it happened in the exact same game as the most controversial goal in history. Seriously, plenty of huge, decisive goals have bits and pieces of that magic, but nothing hits every single note quite like that one. So, the "greatest goal ever" was decided ages ago, and nothing since has topped it.

Honestly, that guy—the second one in the video—is definitely standing out. If I'm picking the second best player from everything I've seen live, I’d have to say van Basten's performance against the Soviet Union in the Euro 88 final is my top contender.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Honestly, there’s zero point even debating this... Maradona's goal against England—where he just snatched the ball in his own half and danced through half their entire squad—is already etched in stone as the greatest goal ever. I mean, think about it! That goal has everything you could possibly want: it happened on the biggest stage, in a high-stakes knockout match, against a massive opponent, delivered by an absolute legend in the middle of a legendary solo run... plus, it happened in the exact same game as the most controversial goal in history. Seriously, plenty of huge, decisive goals have bits and pieces of that magic, but nothing hits every single note quite like that one. So, the "greatest goal ever" was decided ages ago, and nothing since has topped it.

Obviously, that goal is easily in the top 5 or 10 of all time, considering the venue, the opposition, and the sheer technique. BUT—and it's a massive "but" for me—that entire match will always be remembered for that huge scandal (call it a refereeing error or Maradona cheating, take your pick). If that other goal had actually been disallowed, we probably wouldn't have even seen the second one. Even the England players themselves weren't 100% dialed in after that chaos. Regardless, the goal remains legendary, right up there with Messi vs Getafe.

hollowsailor19 said:Obviously, that goal is easily in the top 5 or 10 of all time, considering the venue, the opposition, and the sheer technique. BUT—and it's a massive "but" for me—that entire match will always be remembered for that huge scandal (call it a refereeing error or Maradona cheating, take your pick). If that other goal had actually been disallowed, we probably wouldn't have even seen the second one. Even the England players themselves weren't 100% dialed in after that chaos. Regardless, the goal remains legendary, right up there with Messi vs Getafe.

Look, forget the "it was this" or "it was that"... they weren't getting blown out 5-0, they were only down 1-0, so please, spare me the excuse that they weren't focused...

As for that Messi vs Getafe goal, sure, it might be a 100% identical replica of Maradona's, but let's get real here: Maradona's goal happened during the World Cup in what I think was the quarterfinal against England, whereas Messi's goal was just one of 38 matches in La Liga against some underdog. The actual result of that game barely mattered for the league title, so honestly, Messi's goal doesn't even come close to being on the same level as Maradona's.

You have to look at the whole picture—who scored it, where, how, the style, the opponent, and the stakes involved. When you weigh all that, only Maradona's goal hits every single mark. If you asked anyone off the top of their head, without overthinking it, to name a goal that was simultaneously more beautiful AND more important than Maradona's, I couldn't tell you a single one.

That goal is number one of all time for me, because I truly cannot think of a goal that was both more stunning and more significant than that magical summer of 1986 during the World Cup in Mexico, when Maradona took on England in the quarterfinals on Argentina's path to becoming world champions.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, forget the "it was this" or "it was that"... they weren't getting blown out 5-0, they were only down 1-0, so please, spare me the excuse that they weren't focused...

As for that Messi vs Getafe goal, sure, it might be a 100% identical replica of Maradona's, but let's get real here: Maradona's goal happened during the World Cup in what I think was the quarterfinal against England, whereas Messi's goal was just one of 38 matches in La Liga against some underdog. The actual result of that game barely mattered for the league title, so honestly, Messi's goal doesn't even come close to being on the same level as Maradona's.

You have to look at the whole picture—who scored it, where, how, the style, the opponent, and the stakes involved. When you weigh all that, only Maradona's goal hits every single mark. If you asked anyone off the top of their head, without overthinking it, to name a goal that was simultaneously more beautiful AND more important than Maradona's, I couldn't tell you a single one.

That goal is number one of all time for me, because I truly cannot think of a goal that was both more stunning and more significant than that magical summer of 1986 during the World Cup in Mexico, when Maradona took on England in the quarterfinals on Argentina's path to becoming world champions.

Amen ☕
You could argue that Ibra scored a bicycle kick from the halfway line like nobody ever had before, but that was just a friendly match.

3. van Basten against the Soviet Union. It’s almost like he didn't even feel the ball hit him when that volley landed perfectly.





2. Maradona against England in 1986. He just took off, kept going, and honestly, there was no stopping him.





1. Rivaldo against Valencia in 2001. I guess sport and art just merged here; if this were gymnastics or ski jumping, it would probably be a perfect score.





A little bonus for the goal lovers: Zlatan Ibrahimović against NAC Breda in 2004. It's a shame I can't find that specific Eurosport version with the catchy jingle playing while they show those little piglets.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, forget the "it was this" or "it was that"... they weren't getting blown out 5-0, they were only down 1-0, so please, spare me the excuse that they weren't focused...

As for that Messi vs Getafe goal, sure, it might be a 100% identical replica of Maradona's, but let's get real here: Maradona's goal happened during the World Cup in what I think was the quarterfinal against England, whereas Messi's goal was just one of 38 matches in La Liga against some underdog. The actual result of that game barely mattered for the league title, so honestly, Messi's goal doesn't even come close to being on the same level as Maradona's.

You have to look at the whole picture—who scored it, where, how, the style, the opponent, and the stakes involved. When you weigh all that, only Maradona's goal hits every single mark. If you asked anyone off the top of their head, without overthinking it, to name a goal that was simultaneously more beautiful AND more important than Maradona's, I couldn't tell you a single one.

That goal is number one of all time for me, because I truly cannot think of a goal that was both more stunning and more significant than that magical summer of 1986 during the World Cup in Mexico, when Maradona took on England in the quarterfinals on Argentina's path to becoming world champions.

If we’re playing by those rules, then Götze's deciding goal just four minutes before the whistle is way more important than Maradona's. It happened right at the death and was the literal clincher in the World Cup final. Plus, the technique and execution were pure perfection—and he even came off the bench to do it.

I have no clue what logic would put Maradona's goal above Götze's?

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, forget the "it was this" or "it was that"... they weren't getting blown out 5-0, they were only down 1-0, so please, spare me the excuse that they weren't focused...

As for that Messi vs Getafe goal, sure, it might be a 100% identical replica of Maradona's, but let's get real here: Maradona's goal happened during the World Cup in what I think was the quarterfinal against England, whereas Messi's goal was just one of 38 matches in La Liga against some underdog. The actual result of that game barely mattered for the league title, so honestly, Messi's goal doesn't even come close to being on the same level as Maradona's.

You have to look at the whole picture—who scored it, where, how, the style, the opponent, and the stakes involved. When you weigh all that, only Maradona's goal hits every single mark. If you asked anyone off the top of their head, without overthinking it, to name a goal that was simultaneously more beautiful AND more important than Maradona's, I couldn't tell you a single one.

That goal is number one of all time for me, because I truly cannot think of a goal that was both more stunning and more significant than that magical summer of 1986 during the World Cup in Mexico, when Maradona took on England in the quarterfinals on Argentina's path to becoming world champions.

Except it was in the cup, and it was against the absolute BEST defense in La Liga that year—one of the best defenses in all of Europe, actually. And keep in mind, that was a squad that actually knocked Barcelona out of that same cup despite Messi's goal.

But yeah, who gives a damn about facts, right?

By the way, personally, those kinds of goals aren't even special to me. 🤷 Every single season in every major league, you can see at least ten players just sprinting past defenders like that. It’s way easier than weaving through people in tight spaces, like when Ibrahimović scored that legendary goal back when he was still at Ajax.

And as for those English defenders, there's really no point even discussing them; it's like they were just standing there waiting for him to score.

Now, I'll go ahead and contradict myself a little: despite everything I just wrote, it really is an objectively phenomenal goal. But what makes it special is mostly the circumstances of the match (I'd say the biggest fact being that the opponents were English) rather than some sort of divine footballing skill (not that such a thing doesn't exist).

It's the kind of goal I could probably pull off in a pickup game myself. ☕

loneeagle6 said:You don't need 15, just one goal....

Video:

And for good measure, a description of the legendary Amigo, copied and pasted from football icons (where else would I get it...... ☕ )

"Fernando (like Magellan discovering a path to India) went for the ball, cut slightly to his right—which for our guy Pletikos was left). He leaned onto his right shoulder, lunged left, using all that height and width, and then it was like "late night jazz": Baiano just tapped the ball and it started crawling toward the net. Like a snail. Don Fernando pulled off a trick I've never seen before; he chased the ball, people, he actually chased it, following it like a bocce player follows an idea. Slow, slow. The ball crawls, Baiano crawls, and Pletikos, who's practically glued to the goalpost, realizes it's not over yet. And because of him, the drama turns into tragedy. It's like an old Greek play where even the gods catch their breath. A Split resident turns around, thinking: "Wait, I can save this..." He rises, spins, and dives for the bottom right corner, and look, he's already reached the ball... will he grab it with his fingertips, will he...? No, he won't. It crosses the line anyway. Just barely: over the line! The goal of all goals."

No more questions..? Thanks a lot!...

Keep it steady.. ☕☕☕

😁>

I remember that passage. From Football Magazine originally, if I recall correctly. He wrote that it was the goal that "saved football."

For some reason, a lot of people have convinced themselves that Ronaldinho scored that penalty.

Work in progress:
- this isn't a definitive list, just a few favorites that could potentially make the final cut

Bergkamp vs Argentina '98 World Cup - As a massive diehard fan of the Oranje (especially during the 90s), this goal, along with the entire match against Argentina, remains permanently etched in my memory. The whole sequence is pure poetry—89 minutes gone, extra time looming, then Edwin van der Sar finds captain Frank de Boer, who delivers a millimeter-perfect 65m pass with that sharp left foot to Bergkamp. Dennis, being Dennis, settles the ball with such elegance, Ayala lunges, and then—cold-blooded execution! The Dutch commentator captures the delirium perfectly.

Rivaldo vs Valencia '99 La Liga - A bicycle kick from 20 meters out, right when it was tied 2-2 during an epic battle for the Champions League. Goal! A hat trick for Rivaldo, and Valencia gets sent packing from the UEFA Cup.

Mandžukić vs Real Madrid '17 Champions League - Regardless of my personal bias, it was a once-in-a-lifetime goal. The ball stayed airborne the entire time without ever touching the grass. Mandžo is one of the rare few to score in Champions League finals for two different clubs.

Van Persie vs Spain '14 World Cup - Easily one of the top five headers ever. To head Casillas back with a flick from 20 meters after a flawless assist... mindblowing.

Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen '02 Champions League - You don't need much science when you have masters like Solari, Roberto Carlos, and Zizou on the pitch. An all-time great strike, scored with his weaker foot.

van Basten vs Russia '88 - Something that has been seen and analyzed 1,988 times.

CR7 vs Porto '08 Champions League - A projectile in every sense of the word.

CR7 vs Juventus '18 Champions League - Ten years later, it would be a sin not to mention it.

Pele vs Sweden '58 World Cup - For me, the best goal ever scored in a World Cup final. Pele is the best.

Carlos Alberto vs Italy '70 World Cup - The second-best goal in World Cup finals history. And look at that—those Brazilians doing it again. It’s the definition of teamwork, cooperation, reading the game, and sheer quality.

Bressan vs Barcelona '99 Champions League - For a 3-3 equalizer in the 90th minute against what was then the Netherlands Barca. You could see from the nosebleeds he was aiming for the far corner.

Zlatan Ibrahimović vs England '14 Friendly - People love him or hate him, but only special players pull this off. Ibra has certainly flirted with surreal goals before, but this might be his finest.

Zlatan Ibrahimović vs Italy '04 Euro - Once again, that Swedish Ibrahimović. A goal that indirectly knocked the Azzurri out of the Euro.

Borgetti vs Italy '02 World Cup - Poor Italy, someone always seems to score a wonder goal against them. This time it was Borgetti, a goal unlike anything I've ever seen before or since.

Bale vs Liverpool '18 Champions League - A bicycle kick in a Champions League final? 'Nuff said.

Del Piero vs Borussia Dortmund '97 Champions League - Making a Champions League final at just 20 years old? 'Nuff said. That was arguably Juve's strongest generation, specifically the squad from '95-'05.

Robben vs Manchester '10 Champions League - A perfect cross followed by even more perfect finishing from Robben.

Drogba vs Bayern Munich '12 Champions League - It might not be the kind of goal that gives you immediate "wow" factor, but just think about the context. You're down 0-1 in the 88th minute of a Champions League final, you've only had one corner the whole match, the cross comes straight in, and now you have to redirect it toward the goal against Neuer. Not only did Drogba redirect it, but he tucked it right into the corner of Neuer's net. Unforgettable.

Šuker vs Denmark '96 Euro - Just mentioning Šuker and Rivaldo in the same breath probably gives Schmeichel a headache and adds years to his age actually.

Messi vs Real Madrid '11 Champions League - Some people see this as some massive feat, but for Messi, weaving through five or six defenders just feels routine. This time it was against Real, against Mourinho, against the crowd, and against Casillas—all finished off with the right foot.

Messi vs Canada '14 World Cup - Personally, this is my favorite Messi goal. It perfectly illustrates how little effort he needs to cause absolute chaos. He starts at the center circle, Mascherano feeds him, he finds space, dances past two defenders, hits the post, and the ball bounces in. Short, sweet, and clinical.

Ilie vs Colombia '98 - Better known as the Romanian Cobra.

Those are just the ones that immediately popped into my head, though there are plenty more.

Man, remember that Ronaldinho goal? The one where he just stood there and hammered it from like 20 yards out without any run-up? He was playing for Barcelona back then.
It was like he didn't even have a plan for the ball, so he just decided, "Yeah, let's just score." 🙂

Adam King6 said:Man, remember that Ronaldinho goal? The one where he just stood there and hammered it from like 20 yards out without any run-up? He was playing for Barcelona back then.
It was like he didn't even have a plan for the ball, so he just decided, "Yeah, let's just score." 🙂

Chelsea in 2005, plus that Ronaldo goal from his Barca days when he danced through two defenders—pretty sure it was against Valencia.

Adam King6 said:Man, remember that Ronaldinho goal? The one where he just stood there and hammered it from like 20 yards out without any run-up? He was playing for Barcelona back then.
It was like he didn't even have a plan for the ball, so he just decided, "Yeah, let's just score." 🙂

I was actually just going back and forth with LeGriffio about legendary goals, and that one was the first thing we brought up.

See, sometimes you just sit there stunned because you have absolutely no clue how or why what just happened actually took place.

So we started looking for goals you can describe without even needing to drop names—stuff everyone instantly recognizes. We even pulled up that legendary Goran Rubil strike against Lokomotiva, and that one against Hajduk Split too. 🤣

I listed all my favorites yesterday, though I might have missed out on perhaps the best player of the last decade:

Benjamin Pavard! No matter what else he achieves in his life, he’ll ALWAYS be defined by THAT massive goal.

☕

Boksic: Lazio-Sampdoria 3:0

Rapaic: Fenerbahce-Gaziantep 4:3

Rapaic: Hajduk Split-Dinamo 4:2 (3:2)

Bonus goal
Cassano Hajduk-Roma 1-1

As for foreign goals—mostly everything already mentioned—that Romario strike against Real Madrid belongs on the list. And Djorkaeff... man, you just miss those brutal bicycle kicks he used to pull off for Inter...