Bicycle kick is such a bold, breathtaking move as to defy both gravity and common sense. Also known as a scissors kick or an overhead kick, it’s such an audacious move that you sort of have to wonder why someone would try it.
Still, when it’s pulled off to perfection, it becomes a mesmerizing spectacle of players’ prowess and finesse.
The player throws himself backward, his body suspended in mid-air and twisting his legs in scissors to hit the ball with power and accuracy. It is a move that takes nerves of steel to attempt, and even then it can end in spectacular failure.
Although it can be used in defense to clear the ball from danger, it’s most famously associated with attacking plays and audacious goal-scoring attempts. If it connects, well, what a masterpiece that is; it’s a stunning mix of artistry and athleticism.
However, this spectacular move isn’t without risk. One can easily hurt oneself doing this, so it’s reserved for professionals who can handle its perilous nature.
Some make a fair point that bicycle kick goals often come about, quite literally, by virtue of a poor cross when there are no other alternatives for the player, who thus is forced to improvise by twisting his or her body into an almost impossible position.
Just before I list the greatest of them all, I’d like to give a brief history of it.
History Of Bicycle Kicks
The origins of the bicycle kick are as clouded as a late-night match under dim stadium lights, locked in a playful feud between Chile and Peru over who did what first in conjuring up this jaw-dropping kick.
In essence, it shall be that very epitome of football creativity formulated through the sands of time by players across the world who defied to step beyond the frontiers of the natural human norm, using their God-given talents to light the game.
Some version of it can take us back to 1914 when Ramón Unzaga, the Chilean footballer, pulled off that feat during a match at Talcahuano. According to the people from Chile, that is where “La Chilena” was born. That would be a name that stuck as the move brought crowds all over South America to their feet.
But the Peruvians have another story to tell. Birthed was its busy port city of Callao, where players created the move they referred to as “chalaca” after the display of athletics by British sailors.
Putting the seal on it in football history is the legendary Peruvian Alejandro Villanueva, who gained fame for his great bicycle kicks back in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interest in the bicycle kick rose with football fever around the world.
Its effrontery spread like wildfire among fans and players, and very soon, it turned into a symbol of skill and creativity on the pitch. It was taken up to Europe, where in 1950, Italian striker Carlo Parola pulled the perfect bicycle kick, an image that stayed with people for many years.
However, with Pelé, the Brazilian, the bicycle kick became globally recognized.
The way in which he delivered this acrobatic act was with such fluidity, aptitude, and precision that it was, in a manner of speaking, turned into some sort of art that would influence generations upon generations after that to test their luck at an act seemingly impossible.
1. Gareth Bale – (Real Madrid v Liverpool)
One of the goals ever scored in a game was probably Gareth Bales’s amazing bicycle-kick goal for Real Madrid during the finals of the Champions League.
Making it even more extraordinary, Bale had just been on the pitch for two minutes entering in a tied substitute situation.
Power at its best. It all started with a cross from Marcelo, who chipped it in hard with his right foot. In the meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were hard at work, drawing defenders deep and wide, enough to cause havoc for Bale to strike.
Bale shifted his position left as he sprang into the air, left foot swinging silkily like a pendulum to hit the ball, sending it past the reach of Liverpool’s keeper Loris Karius, who could only look up as the ball smacked into the back of the net.
That strike was pure brilliance, quite amazing to the extent that it leaves you wondering whether what you had observed was real.
While Bale would go on to score another goal, in that game this would be the one that, for something like that, is entrenched in the memory for years to go.
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2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – (Sweden v England)
Zlatan has never been one to hold back on singing his own praises. And why should he?
With a career that shines brighter than the Northern Lights, across Europe and America and 62 goals in 118 internationals for Sweden he has every right to.
But among all his achievements one goal stands out – a moment of pure brilliance against England in 2012. Already with a hat-trick, he decided to go for the extra goal.
He did a bicycle kick from 35 yards out, back to goal, eyes on the ball as it flew through the air. With perfect timing, he connected with his right foot and the ball sailed in majestically into the empty net. The world was in awe.
It was magic, Sweden won 4-2. But even a genius like Ibrahimovic can’t be immune to the bicycle kick.
He tried to recreate the magic for Paris Saint-Germain and misjudged it completely, missed the ball, and landed face-first on the grass. Even the greatest have off days.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – (Real Madrid v Juventus)
Cristiano Ronaldo is, without a doubt, a business of unforgettable goals; however, his bicycle kick against Juventus in the 2018 Champions League quarter-final might just be his masterpiece.
It was so good that UEFA voted it as Goal of the Season.
Ronaldo had already put Real Madrid ahead but when Martin Vasquez sent in a cross from the right, another chance had seemingly arrived.
Then Ronaldo took off, launching an acrobatic kick that left all of the viewers at Allianz Stadium in awe. The ball flew past Gigi Buffon and into the net; even then, the Juventus fans could not but stand up and applaud.
It comes as no surprise that a few months later, Juventus would spend €100 million to bring Ronaldo on board. Once again, the Portuguese star had proved why he is one of the best ever to play football, and this was a goal the fans of the game would never forget.
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4. Wayne Rooney – (Manchester United v Manchester City)
Rooney’s overhead kick in the 2011 Manchester derby often gets described as the greatest goal in Premier League history.
The reason is obvious: this was a purely brilliant moment that not only sealed Manchester United’s victory but kept them on course for the title, too.
With the score level and only 12 minutes remaining, Nani launched what seemed like a hopeless cross from the right. But Rooney, near the penalty spot, had other ideas. In an instant he adjusted his body and executed a breathtaking overhead kick that left Joe Hart utterly helpless.
Fair enough, Hart would later claim that Rooney didn’t quite strike the ball right, saying it was more of a shin-kick. But who cares? It was an extraordinary execution, and it’s a goal that United fans will milk for years to come.
Rooney himself described it as the most important goal he had ever scored for the club, and one can easily see why.
It was one of those season-defining moments that summarized the brilliance, athleticism, and drive which Rooney had brought all season. United would go on to win that league, but this goal was arguably the top of their campaign.
5. Alejandro Garnacho – (Manchester United v Everton)
Alejandro Garnacho’s acrobatic bicycle kick against Everton is a moment Manchester United fans will not forget for many years. It is the kind of goal destined for generations to come—to be feted as one of the greats in the Premier League.
The scene was really set just three minutes into the match, with Everton reeling from a 10-point deduction and their fans directing anger at the Premier League.
But a quite sensational overhead kick from Garnacho soon silenced the Goodison Park crowd.
Moving into the box as Diogo Dalot’s cross zipped in, Garnacho readjusted his position before timing his jump to perfection. He met the ball with absolute perfection and it soared into the top corner of Jordan Pickford’s goal.
There was disbelief in the stadium, and even the Everton fans couldn’t help but applaud the brilliance of the strike.
That is a goal that will be replayed for years to come, with many already calling it the best overhead kick ever in Premier League history.
Garnacho’s moment of brilliance sealed an utterly dominant performance by Manchester United as they cruised to a 3-0 win, and it is a moment the fans will hold in their memory bank.
