The top 10 goals of 2011 so far
Football is a game which can be expressed in many ways. But, without the awe inspiring goals that win matches, the game is not as entertaining as you would want.
This year has provided us with some great goals, so here is the countdown.
10. Lisandro Lopez
Avid football fans would know that there is a club named Arsenal de Sarandi in Argentina. Like their Premier League alter egos Arsenal too play attractive football.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rea2Ccgs7UI
Here Arsenal de Sarandi win a corner and Lopez, a defender, rushes forward. The ball comes off wide, Lopez loses his market, gets his legs above and bicycle-kicks the ball into the net. Fantastic even for a top quality striker.
9. Raul Meireles
The goal took place in January 2011, when Meireles was still playing for Liverpool. It is always hard to hit volleys, but he manages to do it and place it perfectly, all from 30 yards off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrea1cvTAU&feature=related
A great goal and a great signing for Chelsea I must say.
8. Lionel Messi
This was in that Champions League victory over Arsenal. Iniesta passes the ball to Messi inside the penalty box, Messi beats the offside trap, controls the ball, lofts it and shoots it with his left leg.
Lionel Messi should not be allowed to play football, for he simply blows his competition away. Delightful!
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic receives the ball from long range, meddles with two defenders and then puts it into the net from an almost impossible angle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTYvW8duvqo&feature=related
The game gave a vital draw for AC Milan against Lecce.
6. Jan Schlaudraff
You will not see a better modern day goal than this, for it was well planned and executed. The ball goes for a corner, Schlaudraff, who plays for Hannover 96, lurks well outside the box and the player who takes the corner plans and lofts the ball to Schlaudraff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fHyBydFKt-M
He sees it, times it, takes a single touch, and blasts it into the net! Best execution ever!
5. Giovanni Dos Santos
It was the Gold Cup finals and Mexico were leading USA 3-2. Still, they needed to finish things off, and that is just what Dos Santos did. He receives a good ball in a tight position, turns back, and takes on 3 defenders along with the GK, all cutting him off the goal, he struggles , but still doesn’t give away the ball, moves back, and lifts the ball into the far corner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mR1O7FfWB34
Football at its very best.
4. Lionel Messi
Yes, Messi once again. Like I said, he should not be allowed to play football.
This goal is even better than the previous one and it comes against the mighty Real Madrid. It was in a Champions League fixture. Messi receives the ball near the half-line, runs past four defenders, shoots the ball past Casillas, who couldn’t do anything but watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_Q1Cj7JGFT0
It was like seeing a pro go against school kids. Sorry Real, but Messi is top class.
3. Dejan Stankovic
You probably remember this one. It was one of the fastest goals of the Champions League, and Stankovic scored this stunner when the game was barely 30 seconds old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=GENPi2lg0OI
Inter were facing Schalke 04. When Esteban Cambiasso volleyed the ball into Schalke’s net, Manuel Neuer came to their rescue to clear the ball but unfortunately, it went straight to Stankovic who, without a moment of hesitation, blasted it straight into the net from the half way mark.
2. Wayne Rooney
Obviously the overhead kick against Manchester City has to feature in this list. It is probably the best Premier League goal of last season and it came off in such a high profile game.
Rooney was in a bad slump as he was out of form and out of sorts. He wanted to move out of United but Sir Alex Ferguson lashed a hefty contract and made him stay.
The game was tied at 1-1 when Nani sent in a half decent cross towards Rooney. He didn’t mind it, he turned around, timed his jump and performed an over head kick – pocketing a win for United.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7_Sv9jKT6ek
The best overhead goal I’ve ever seen.
1. Neymar
Now you know why he is rated this highly. The game’s scoreline read Santos 4 – 5 Flamengo, and that should tell you about the quality that was displayed there. Despite the beautiful goal, Neymar ended up on the losing side.
This is by far, the best goal I’ve seen after that ’99 run by Ryan Giggs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwVvyXkElY&feature=player_embedded
Skill, elegance, pace, and football at its very best.