Champions League: top 10 best goals of the history

The Champions League is the most special competition (at club level) for a soccer player. Hearing the anthem before kick-off, the logo waving in the center of the field, the exchange of greetings with rivals and referees. And it is precisely those matches that give us real wonders in the form of goals.

In a competition like this, goals are not few and far between. Season after season, at least four or five goals are added to the list that could be among the best in the history of the Champions League, so it is necessary to establish some criteria that allows us to put order.

*Epic is summed up in the moment it is scored and what it means. The final rounds of the competition are more likely to be epic.

10. Ronaldinho's magic, round of 16 at Stamford Bridge (2005)

If you watch this goal at normal speed, you will certainly not appreciate everything that happens. Only with the help of slow motion can we analyze this Ronaldinho goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Everything happens so fast, that Cech can barely follow the path of the ball entering his goal. A dance on a tile, two feints to mislead and a dry shot with the toe that silences half the city of London. That was Ronaldinho, unpredictable and extraordinary, capable of filling a stadium by himself thanks to his magic. FC Barcelona did not manage to pass that knockout round but this goal will go down in the history of the Champions League as one of the best, there is no doubt about it.

9. Thierry Henry alone, round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu (2006)

Madrid fans over the age of 30 will surely remember this goal. A spectacular Thierry Henry arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu (voted one of the best stadiums in the world) determined to make history. Despite being underdogs, Arsene Wenger's side got through the tie thanks to a goal from the French striker that left half of Real Madrid behind. The stadium fell silent, nobody expected Arsenal to strike first in the tie. In the end, Henry's goal would be decisive and would give the 'gunners' the pass, knocking out the most successful club in the Champions League.

8. Messi 'retires' Boateng, semifinals at Camp Nou (2015)

This goal could not be missing among the best in the Champions League. Lionel Messi left a unique play, with Jerome Boateng as the main protagonist. The German center-back suffered in first person the difficulty of stopping the Argentine crack on the run, who after getting rid of him, chopped the ball over Neuer to sign a goal of flag. A masterpiece that served to put FC Barcelona ahead in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals at the Camp Nou against Bayern Munich.

7. Redondo's back-heel, quarter-final at Old Trafford (2000)

The goal was scored by Raúl, but the artist and the one who deserves a mention is Redondo. The Argentine winger left a delicacy of dribbling in the form of a back-heel that left Berg without response and then served the ball on a platter to Madrid's '7' who finished off the play at his pleasure. A match that ended 2-3 in favor of Real Madrid although they had a three-goal difference. Manchester United managed to score two goals and not give up the tie at Old Trafford.

6. Saúl Ñíguez alone, semifinals at the Vicente Calderón (2016).

Saúl's amazing goal served to put Atlético de Madrid ahead against Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich at the Vicente Calderón. To everyone's surprise, the Atlético de Madrid youth player went one by one around his rivals and planted himself in the area to beat Neuer looking for the long post with a low shot.

A goal that helped Cholo Simeone's team to take the lead in the Champions League semifinals and be able to go to the Allianz Arena with an advantage.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo's bicycle kick, fourth at Juventus Stadium (2018).

This is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing bicycle kick in the Champions League, as well as the best goal of the 2017/2018 season. The way we do the ranking, the moment in which it happens as well as its significance do not allow it to be higher in this top 10.

The goal is beautifully crafted. The height at which the strike is taken (in line with the crossbar of the goal) is practically impossible, but the execution and technique of the finish are also almost perfect. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Champions League and his goal against Juventus is among the best goals in the history of the competition. A spectacular goal in a career full of goals of all colors.

4. Gareth Bale's bicycle kick, Kiev final (2018).

Gareth Bale scored an anthological goal in the Champions League final in Kiev against Liverpool. After Marcelo's tempered cross, the Welshman managed to hook in a bicycle kick that ended up going into the goal of an unlucky Karius. The aesthetics are not at the level of CR7's, but the epic is above it. Scoring in this way in a final of Europe's top competition puts you among the greatest in history.

3. Messi, semifinals at the Santiago Bernabeu (2011).

Leo Messi scored one of the best goals in the history of this competition he closed a historic 0-2 that gave FC Barcelona half a pass to the final of the Champions League. Stopping Messi on the run is very difficult, as has already become clear with his two most outstanding goals in this tournament. 

2. Kaká, semifinals at Old Trafford (2007)

This Kaka goal sneaks into second place because it has it all. A great control, hat trick, two opponents on the ground and a classy finish in a Champions League semi-final. The best Kaka shone with his own light, being the best of his time for his speed, quality and personality.

The setting, Old Trafford, as well as the opponent, a good Manchester United led by Sir Alex Fergusson, make this work of art take on a greater dimension.

1. Zidane's volley in the Glasgow final (2002), the best of the Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane scored the best goal in the history of the Champions League. He did it in the final of Glasgow in 2002, against a great Bayer Leverkusen and to the astonishment of the whole world. Execution, aesthetics and epic at its best.

The French midfielder collected a lofted pass from Roberto Carlos with a beautiful volley that Hans-Jörg Butt could do little or nothing about. It made it 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid, which would eventually give them the title (the ninth) and Zidane the distinction of best player of the final.