Which One is the Best? Football’s Top 10 Bicycle Kick Goals

Football produces wonderful moments of skill all the time. But few dazzle fans more than the audacious bicycle kick – players launching themselves upside down to volley the ball behind them.

On Sunday night, fans of the Premier League saw one of the goals of the season after a moment of magic from Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine produced top class performance against 19th-place Everton to push Manchester united to the top 6.

Let’s explore some of football’s best-ever “bicycle kicks” and what made them so iconic:

10. Garnacho screamer against Everton

Teenage striker Alejandro Garnacho scores a beautiful goal with potential for  the Goal of the Season contender for Manchester United in 2023. 

With the ball floated behind him, the 18-year-old unleashed a first-time missile into the top corner to stun Everton fans. 

His teammate Bruno Fernandes joked that Garnacho had been watching too many Cristiano Ronaldo videos. We advise everyone else to watch more too if it produces goals like that!

9. Ronaldinho’s Smooth Side Volley

Few players have exhibited more flair or brought more joy to football than Ronaldinho. True to form, Barcelona’s Brazilian legend scored an outrageously smooth bicycle kick against Villarreal in 2006. 

After nonchalantly cushioning the ball on his chest, Ronaldinho casually rotated 360 degrees in the air to side-volley home.

 The no-look finish encapsulated his style – balancing laidback brilliance with swaggering skill. 

8. Bressan’s 25-Yard Champions League Stunner 

In the 1999 Champions League, Bressan left Barcelona fans stunned by a perfect bicycle connection from outside the box for Fiorentina. 

As the ball dropped over his shoulder, the Brazilian striker unleashed a overhead volley that left the goalkeeper rooted. 

His right-footed finish arced beautifully into the top corner, kissing the crossbar for good measure. 

7. Zlatan’s International Showstopper 

Never shy to try the incredible, Zlatan Ibrahimovic once embarrassed England with an iconic 30-yard bicycle kick in a 2012 friendly after Joe Hart vacated his line. Already down 4-2, the Swedish legend’s outrageous overhead finish from a wayward long ball rescued some pride for his country. Backheel volleys from tight angles are hard enough – but Ibra’s insistence on doing everything his own way remained undimmed.  

6. Masuluke Makes Goalkeeping History  

The only goalkeeper to score a competitive bicycle kick, Baroka FC’s Oscarine Masuluke wrote his name into South African football folklore with his sensational 96th-minute equalizer in the relegation playoffs. 

As his team trailed 1-0 to Orlando Pirates, Masuluke flung himself forward to meet a looping ball with a crisp right-footed volley that bulged the net, sending commentators wild. 

No keeper has made the Puskas Award shortlist for actually scoring a goal!

5. Rooney’s Iconic Manchester Derby Strike  

Wayne Rooney enjoyed many spectacular moments but perhaps none more than his bicycle kick in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over City in 2011. 

As Nani’s cross came over his shoulder, Rooney puzzle-pieced his body into position before firing a textbook overhead into the top corner just as the ball looked to sail out of reach. 

In a flash, United’s talisman turned a local derby on its head, creating an iconic Premier League image for the ages.  

4. Philippe Mexes’ Champions League Stunner

Even tough centre-backs have tried replicating the skill with varying success. But Philippe Mexes’ Champions League bicycle against Anderlecht for AC Milan in 2012 remains the gold standard.

After chesting down a headed clearance just outside the box, the French defender stunned viewers by acrobatically looping his overhead kick into the far top corner. Even for a defender’s one-in-a-million shot, Mexes’ connection was pure sweetness.  

3. Cristiano Ronaldo Floats

  

When Cristiano Ronaldo sprung into the air to meet a lofted pass against future club Juventus in 2018, Madrid fans knew something special was unfolding. 

Suspended mid-flight in trademark style, Ronaldo adjusted his body position before firing his right boot through the ball with perfect style. 

The masterclass showcased all the grace and precision peak Ronaldo brought to every match. 

2. Gareth Bale’s Champions League Masterpiece 

 

Does it get any better than a title-winning bicycle kick? Gareth Bale soared into the Kyiv sky in 2018 to score one of the greatest European Cup Final goals ever – an absolutely breathless overhead volley to put Real Madrid 2-1 up against Liverpool. 

Bale’s gravity-defying technique and execution rightly earned comparisons to iconic efforts from the sport’s legends. No accolade does justice to Bale’s Champions League-winning moment of magic.   

1. Sinclair’s FA Cup Perfection  

Over 25 years later, Trevor Sinclair’s sublime 1997 bicycle against Barnsley still feels otherworldly. Any overhead kick from outside the box court disaster. 

But Sinclair launched himself beyond the reach of physics, meeting the ball at the perfect height to bullet a textbook volley into the top corner for QPR. For sheer technique and connection, Sinclair’s once-in-a-lifetime FA Cup strike remains football’s finest bicycle kick bar none. 

Like a ballet dancer mid-pirouette, the very best bicycle kicks seem to freeze gravity itself. These mesmerizing moments of footballing flight stay forever etched as the beautiful game’s most jaw-dropping skills.