Scoring a goal is the greatest feeling in the world, say the best goal scorers who have played the game. We can only dream.
That feeling of euphoria certainly explains some of the more passionate, rabid goal celebrations we've seen over the years, but less so the choreographed ones which have grown in popularity since the '90s.
From club competitions to major tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup, great goals are memorable, and so are the celebrations that come with them.
In this post, we reminisce about some of the goal celebrations in football history or at least some of the most famous.
Best goal celebrations in football history – the good
Messi at the Bernabeu
Lionel Messi is a football legend, so having scored some of the best goals in football history, we can only pick some instances when he widely celebrated his incredible feats.
Lionel Messi is the highest goalscorer in El Clasico history with 26 goals to his name against Real Madrid but his most iconic celebration against Los Blancos came back in April 2017.
Messi scored a last-minute winner at the Bernabeu and instead of going crazy, the Argentinian simply ran up to the Madrid crowd, took his shirt off and held his name and number up to them. Cold.
The celebration remains iconic and as long as the internet never forgets, Messi's celebration against Madrid on that day remains something special for the archives. The Argentine is currently plying his trade at Inter Miami, an MLS football club.
??️ Jordi Alba: “Few know the real story behind Messi lifting his shirt after scoring that goal against Real Madrid. Throughout the match, there were chants and insults aimed at Messi, mocking him with terms like ‘disabled' and ‘dwarf.' This infuriated him.” pic.twitter.com/sor8rAFEX2
— FC Barcelona Fans Nation (@fcbfn_live) July 17, 2024
Mario Balotelli's ‘Why Always Me'
From one derby to another, here is Mario Balotelli's famous ‘Why Always Me' celebration in Manchester City's 6-1 demolition of Manchester United in 2012. Balotelli was the focus of intense media coverage during his time at City, and he let his feelings be known by lifting his shirt after scoring the opener to reveal a message that simply asked “Why Always Me?”
🗓️ On this day 12 years ago, Mario Balotelli's “Why Always Me?” celebration was born
Can you name a more iconic celebration? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/0NHVyxnVcI
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 23, 2023
Mo Salah after Liverpool won the title
Mo Salah has had his heart set on bagging himself an iconic goal celebration for a while. He has tried everything from bow and arrows to a yoga pose but none have hit as hard as the one he went for after scoring in Liverpool's 5-1 over Tottenham at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The goal was scored in the game that secured Liverpool their 20th league title, and to mark the occasion, the Egyptian ran over to the Kop, grabbed a phone off a staff member and took a selfie with the crowd. Given the significance of the match, this is a photograph that will stay in the history books forever.
Mo Salah taking a selfie with the Kop after scoring 🤳 pic.twitter.com/UGkfOVQJra
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2025
Erling Haaland's meditation celebration
Another popular goal celebration in football is Erling Haaland's iconic meditation pose. According to the player, he attributed his inner peace and personal development to the meditation, hence the usual iconic pose after scoring a goal.
During his days at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland even struck a working collaboration with influencer and German fitness coach Pamela Reif. The aim was to explore different yoga techniques.
The player revealed during an interview with Esporte Interativo in 2020 that he likes to meditate, bringing an end to speculations about his unique way of celebrating goals.
Robbie Keane's cartwheel
Robbie Keane's cartwheel celebration is one of the most iconic in Premier League history. The celebration would come out almost every time Keane scored. The cartwheel into forward roll may have got less smooth as Keane got older but it's a certified Premier League classic when it comes to celebrations.
Most famous goal celebrations in football history – the bad
Cristiano Ronaldo's Siuuu
The origins of Cristiano Ronaldo's famous ‘Siuuu' celebration can be traced back to 2013 when Ronaldo was the best footballer on the planet. Back then, Ronaldo didn't wheel it out every time he scored, but for whatever reason, the celebration took on a life of its own as Ronaldo's abilities declined. It's been so overdone now that it almost feels cringeworthy when the man himself does it.
Daniel Sturridge's dance
Daniel Sturridge is arguably as well known for his goal celebration as he is for his goals and while that is perhaps due to the injuries he suffered throughout his career, his goal celebration is one that you either love or hate. After scoring goals for Liverpool, the England striker would stop and wiggle his arms from side to side in front of the Reds faithful.
Every goal Jesse Lingard has ever scored
Maybe we're being miserable here, but for someone who has never quite hit the heights he expected of himself, Jesse Lingard didn't half enjoy his elaborate goal celebrations. From the dab to the Milly Rock, Lingard seemed to enjoy the celebration more than the act of scoring itself.
James Maddison's darts
James Maddison has adopted a darts-style celebration in recent years, with the only explanation around it being that the midfielder is just a fan of the sport. Around Christmas time, when the darts are at the forefront of everyone's minds, the celebration is pretty good. However, all year round? It just looks a bit lame, especially when his team are struggling.
Most iconic goal celebrations in football history – the ugly
Emmanuel Adebayor vs Arsenal
Emmanuel Adebayor's celebration for Man City against Arsenal in 2009 earned him a two-match suspension from the FA and a plethora of objects thrown at him from the travelling Arsenal supporters. Adebayor scored a header in City's 4-2 win over Arsenal shortly after making the move from London to Manchester, and instead of celebrating the goal with his new fans, he decided to run the length of the pitch to the away end to knee slide in front of them.
Wayne Rooney vs Tottenham
Before Manchester United faced Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match in 2015, a video surfaced online of Wayne Rooney being flattened by ex-teammate Phil Bardsley in a boxing sparring session in Rooney's kitchen after a night out. Rooney was labelled unprofessional and was expected to be dropped for the match, but he started and scored a sensational solo goal in the first half. To celebrate, he shadow-boxed near the corner before falling flat on his back.
5. Wayne Rooney
“The Knockout celebration” pic.twitter.com/wBsWf4rsfk— Shef (@UTD_Shef) June 11, 2024
Paul Gascoigne at Euro 96
An iconic celebration list wouldn't be right without talking about the dentist chair celebration at Euro 96. Before the tournament, Paul Gascoigne and his England teammates enjoyed a pre-tournament tour of East Asia, where stories surfaced of a boozy night where Gazza was put on his back and tied down while his teammate poured alcohol into his mouth.
To make light of the situation, Gazza and his teammates re-enacted the moment after Gascoigne scored in England's Euro 96 match against Scotland, but this time with water instead of vodka.