Top 10 Best Bicycle Kicks In Football 2025

Football is not merely a sport; rather, it is a canvas on which moments of absolute, unadulterated talent can be displayed. The bicycle kick is one of the few activities on this canvas that brings about such a strong emotional response. In many cases, it is a move that goes against logic, physics, and even the chances that are inherent to the game itself. The bicycle kick is the ultimate bet, where the potential for brilliant triumph is matched only by the chance of hilarious failure. It is a stunning confluence of athleticism, timing, and unshakeable audacity, and it is the ultimate gamble.

There are numerous instances of dazzling brilliance that can be found throughout the history of football. Each of these instances is a narrative that has been told and retold in pubs, living rooms, and playgrounds all across the world. As we reflect on the history of the “beautiful game,” there are certain strikes that have endured the test of time, leaving behind a legacy that has not been tainted by the passage of time. They serve as the baseline, the gold standard, against which all other acrobatic attempts are evaluated and compared. Not out of excitement or anticipation, but rather out of complete and utter surprise and wonder, these are the objectives that cause us to leap out of our chairs.

The topic of discussion regarding the most stunning goals that have ever been scored is continuously evolving as we move forward into the year 2025. As new talents arise, their names are added to this elite list, while the achievements of the old guard are remembered with an ever-increasing regard. The discussion regarding whether goal genuinely symbolizes the summit of this art form is a passionate one, and it is a crucial topic for fans and analysts alike who are dedicated to appreciating the most beautiful moments that football has to offer.

The purpose of this article is to put an end to that discussion, at least for the time being. The essential essence of this remarkable ability has been celebrated in a list that we have painstakingly produced. The Top 10 Best Bicycle Kicks in Football History is a list that continues to define brilliance and inspire generations as we look back in 2025. Join us at Nubia magazine as we count down the Top 10 Bicycle Kicks in Football history, which includes everything from classic Champions League finals to ambitious long-range efforts.

List Of Top 10 Best Bicycle Kicks In Football 2025

1. Gareth Bale vs. Liverpool

It would be a dream come true to score a goal like this on a stage this big. Gareth Bale became a football legend just minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 2018 Champions League final. Marcelo sent a cross to the edge of the box, and Bale, who was facing away from the goal, instantly jumped into an acrobatic overhead kick. The pass was perfect, as the ball flew past a shocked Loris Karius and into the top corner. This goal stands out above all the others because of how brave it was to even try it in a Champions League final, let alone do it so perfectly. It wasn’t just a goal that won the game; it was a piece of art made under the brightest lights and the most stress. Gareth Bale’s amazing goal for Real Madrid against Liverpool is the best ever because of the unique combination of occasion, technique, and consequence. It will be talked about for decades as the best bicycle kick in football history and for generations to come.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Juventus

This goal was so great that fans of the other team gave it a standing ovation in one of football’s most hostile stadiums. Dani Carvajal sent a cross to the far post in a Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was hanging in the air like only he can, hit it with a crazy bicycle kick that went straight into the corner. The technique was out of this world; his height, body position, and attack power were all perfect. The fans of Juventus stood up and clapped, which said it all. They knew they had seen something absolutely exceptional, even though they lost. For a lot of people, this was the moment that made Ronaldo’s claim to have scored one of the best bicycle kicks in football 2025 arguments are based on.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic against England

This objective is the best example of a player’s personality. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four goals in a friendly match against England. With the game already won, he decided to make history by doing something really brave. Zlatan accomplished the unfathomable as the ball looped high in the air 30 yards from the goal and England goalkeeper Joe Hart was stuck off his line. He jumped into a full-stretch bicycle kick and hit the ball precisely, sending it flying into the empty net like a guided missile. This goal is probably the most amazing ever scored because of how arrogant it is, how far away from the goal it is, and how well it was done. Zlatan’s message to the world was clear: no footballing genius is beyond his reach.

4. Wayne Rooney against Manchester City

5. Rivaldo vs. Valencia

This goal is legendary, not simply because it was so technically perfect, but also because of how much pressure it was under. Barcelona had to beat Valencia on the last day of the 2000/01 season to get into the Champions League. In the 89th minute, the score was 2-2 when a cross was sent to Rivaldo at the edge of the box. With his back to the goal, the Brazilian chest bumped the ball into the air, then whirled around and kicked it perfectly with a bicycle kick that went into the net. The Camp Nou went crazy. This was more than just a beautiful goal; it was a moment of genius that would define the season and establish the player’s career. It had talent, flair, and the ability to finish under the most pressure possible, which made it one of the most famous goals in football history.

6. Everton vs. Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho’s amazing goal for Manchester United against Everton is a recent addition that has firmly planted its flag in this legendary land. The setting and the mind-blowing precision of Garnacho’s work are what make it so exceptional. He ran to meet a looping cross just three minutes into the game. The ball was at what seemed like an unattainable height, but he hit it with a perfect bicycle kick that went into the top corner. People immediately compared the skill to the best since it was so pure and so quick. It was a big deal that a young player had the confidence and skill to even try such a shot, let alone do it perfectly on such a big platform. It made him a star and gave him a permanent spot in the discourse about the Best Bicycle Kicks In Football 2025 and beyond.

7. Philippe Mexes vs. Anderlecht

Defenders shouldn’t score goals like this. Philippe Mexes, a French center-back noted for his harsh tackling, had a moment of pure magic in a Champions League group stage game for AC Milan. The ball was crossed into the box and was just behind him. Most defenders would try to head it back across the goal. Mexes, who was facing away from the goal, chose differently. He twisted his body, jumped back, and hit an incredible bicycle kick that went past the shocked goalkeeper. This is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring entries on our list since it was so unexpected for a defender and because it was so hard to hit a ball that was behind him. This aim goes against what we think of as a “typical” position.

8. Trevor Sinclair vs. Barnsley

Trevor Sinclair’s goal for QPR against Barnsley in an FA Cup clash is probably the best bicycle kick from a long way away. The play started with a hopeful clearing that went straight to Sinclair, who was stationed just outside the 18-yard box’s corner. In this situation, any other player would try to control the ball and start an attack. It was a chance for Sinclair to score. He threw himself into a full, horizontal bicycle kick, hitting the ball with incredible force and accuracy to send it flying into the far top corner. The difficulty level was off the charts. The ball was falling from a huge height, and the angle was very tight. It is still a goal that is shown over and over again in collections of the top goals in the world.

9. Watford vs. Emre Can

There are instances when a bicycle kick is amazing not only because it looks cool, but also because it’s so unlikely. Emre Can’s goal for Liverpool against Watford is the best example of this. Can was a defensive midfielder, thus he wasn’t recognized for his acrobatic goal-scoring skills. After a corner kick that wasn’t fully cleared, the ball curved toward him at the edge of the penalty area. He didn’t think twice before throwing his body into the air and doing a perfect, forceful scissor-kick that went straight into the net. This is one of the most shocking and technically perfect bicycle kicks of the modern era. The player in his position had the guts to try it, and the execution from outside the box was perfect. It was a moment that showed that this art form isn’t just for top forwards.

10. Marco van Basten vs. Den Bosch

Before the time of hyper-marketing and social media virality, Marco van Basten was just a great finisher. His goal against Den Bosch in 1986 is a classic that will never go out of style and is a great example of how to play for any striker. A lot of bicycle kicks are hasty and desperate, but Van Basten’s was a show of calmness that was scary. The ball was played into the box at an odd height, yet the Dutch master looked like he had all the time in the world. He changed his body, jumped into the air, and hit the ball with a clean, strong shot that the goalkeeper couldn’t stop. This goal is on the list not just because it’s important in history, but also because the method is almost faultless.