Lionel Messi To Cristiano Ronaldo: Top 10 Stunningly Difficult Goals Scored By Football’s Greatest

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Throughout various matches we have observed numerous great goals but several stunning strikes might appear effortless to the point that even extremely complex goals become simple. The following list includes the 10 greatest football players who have executed the toughest goal shots ever recorded in football history.

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Diego Maradona - Goal of the century against England: Maradona delivered the hardest soccer goal in history when he scored against England during their 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match. From his starting position Maradona executed a phenomenal run by defeating five England defenders with fluid speed and exceptional ball command before he evaded the goalkeeper to score. Between intense world cup competition Diego Maradona executed what stands as the most difficult goal in soccer history by beating five opponents.

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Carlos Alberto (1970) - The perfect team goal (World Cup Final): Brazil used teamwork to create one of the most perfect team goals ever seen as they defeated Italy in the 1970 World Cup final. Pelé rolled a pass through several precise movements before Carlos Alberto received it for his first-time shot that found the net. Brazilian football achieved peak beauty through this goal which remains eternally recognised as the most brilliant team example in history.

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Dennis Bergkamp (2002) - Magic touch vs. Newcastle: The goal Dennis Bergkamp scored against Newcastle during 2002 stands as one of the most perfect technical strikes in soccer history. Bergkamp demonstrated his genius when Pires makes a pass into the penalty area. From one touch he jumped around Nikos Dabizas to twist into position and easily sent the ball past goalkeeper by keeping his composure. The incredible combination of foresight along with the exact strike and final execution in this goal displayed absolute masterful quality.

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Zlatan Ibrahimović (2004) – Dribbling wonder goal vs. NAC Breda: Zlatan scores his second high-ranking goal through his beautiful individual effort against NAC Breda during his Ajax career. On the penalty area Zlatan received the ball before eluding various defenders while bringing the ball past them with a sequence of turns. Through exceptional footwork and balance he deceived the goalkeeper before finishing the shot peacefully. Such demanding abilities to score this objective make it rank among the most difficult in soccer history.

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Marco van Basten (1988) – Impossible volley vs. USSR (Euro Final): Marco achieved an unbelievable volley against USSR in the Euro 1988 Final from a virtually unattainable angle. The looping cross from Mühren reached Van Basten who struck the ball with his first touch before sending it past the goalkeeper and into the far corner. Striking a dropping ball at that near-impossible angle demanded exceptional precision and technique which placed this goal among the toughest soccer goals ever scored.

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Ronaldinho (2002) – 40 yard free kick vs. England (World Cup): The 2002 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals marked Ronaldinho's unforgettable free kick against England with its approximately 40-yard distance. Ronaldinho saw the opportunity to exploit David Seaman's position away from the goal and sent a floating shot that arced gently inside the crossbar. People thought he was going for the cross but Ronaldinho revealed afterward that he wanted to score from that position. The precise long-range strike made during a World Cup knockout match makes this goal one of the toughest yet most iconic goals ever scored.

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Cristiano Ronaldo (2018) - Champions League bicycle kick vs. Juventus: In the Champions League quarterfinals Ronaldo managed a standout bicycle kick that separated itself from his many hundreds of previous goals. Dani Carvajal played an aerial cross to Ronaldo while he jumped 2.3 metres vertically before performing a perfect bicycle kick. A stunning strike by Cristiano Ronaldo passed Gianluigi Buffon along the top of the net prompting Juventus supporters to give him a standing ovation. The combination of precise technique with proper timing and exceptional athleticism makes this particular goal rate among the most challenging in soccer.

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Lionel Messi (2007) - Maradona-Esque solo goal vs. Getafe: Messi played a legendary solo goal during the Copa del Rey semi-final match against Getafe. Messi gained possession of the ball near the halfway point before he beat six opponents using his quick pace and exceptional ball handling along with his steady body position. The player moved around the goalkeeper before scoring into the net just like Diego Maradona had done during his legendary 1986 World Cup goal of the century.

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Roberto Carlos (1997) - Impossible free kick vs. France: Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos executed an unorthodox free kick during the 1997 Tournoi de France that transcended human physical ability. Carlos launched an improbable strike from 40 yards out which sailed past the defenders and found the net. The ball took such a wild arc it appeared destined for wide before performing a mysterious return toward the goal post. Scientists analysed the goal post-event and found making a similar kick was highly improbable.

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Zlatan Ibrahimović (2012) - 35 yard bicycle kick vs. England: The bicycle kick Zlatan Ibrahimović performed against England in 2012 stood as one of the greatest goals in history. The English goalkeeper Joe Hart stepped forward from his penalty area to clear the ball so Zlatan Ibrahimović reacted swiftly by shooting a flawless bicycle kick from 35 yards. Everyone experienced shock when the ball entered the net. The goal secured the FIFA Puskás Award status as one of soccer's best bicycle kicks ever performed.