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Football isn’t just about the goals, it’s about the moments after the ball hits the back of the net. Whether it’s a leap, a dance, or a simple pointed finger, an iconic celebration sticks in fans’ memories for years and, frequently, gets mimicked in parks and playgrounds across the globe. Here, we look at the 20 most unforgettable goal celebrations, and what makes each so special.
A new poll of 2,000 football fans, reveals just how much the spectacle of the celebration matters to supporters: 55% of fans say they’d love to see even more trademark goal celebrations from players, and 68% agree that seeing a unique celebration is a pure joy to watch.
More Stats from the poll results below, but let's take a look at the top 20
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – ‘Siu’
Ronaldo’s signature celebration involves a leap and mid-air pirouette before landing with outstretched arms and shouting "Siu!", an echoing cheer that has become synonymous with his dominance on the pitch. The move has been adopted by teammates, fans, and even rival players for its sheer confidence and spectacle.
2. Peter Crouch – ‘The Robot’
Good enough for Strictly Crouchy?
Crouch’s 2006 robotic dance, a self-deprecating, lanky groove, became instantly iconic for its humour and charm. His willingness to poke fun at himself endeared him to fans worldwide, giving goal celebrations a playful twist.
3. Lionel Messi – ‘The Barcelona shirt’
Messi memorably held up his shirt to the crowd after scoring against Real Madrid in 2017, a declaration of identity and supremacy on Spain’s biggest stage. The image is now a symbol of Messi's era at Barça
4. Paul Gascoigne – ‘The Dentist Chair’
A nod to England’s impromptu pre-Euro ’96 celebrations, Gascoigne lay on the ground and mimed a teammate pouring a drink in his mouth, capturing the spirit and controversy of that summer for England fans.
5. Eric Cantona – ‘Stop and stare’
After chipping in an audacious goal, Cantona stood still, chest out, absorbing the crowd’s adulation, a lesson in understated confidence and cool from one of football’s great characters.
6. Alan Shearer – ‘Single arm raised’
Up goes the arm - this time for Newcastle United
Few gestures are more recognisable, a simple arm raised skyward as Shearer jogged away. This celebration underlined his no-nonsense approach and became the blueprint for the classic English striker. The Pre-cursor may well have been Mick Channons single windmill arm.
7. Thierry Henry – ‘Knee slide’
Henry propelled himself into the turf on his knees, arms outstretched, after countless goals for Arsenal. An image now synonymous with Premier League euphoria, and widely imitated by players and fans everywhere.
8. Jürgen Klinsmann – ‘Klinsmann dive’
Klinsmann mocked his own reputation for diving by launching himself into a belly slide across the turf after scoring for Spurs in 1994, mixing wit with wild celebration.
9. Roger Milla – ‘Corner flag dance’
The Cameroonian veteran danced around the corner flag at Italia ’90. Joy and tradition and bringing African football to a global audience.
10. Cole Palmer – ‘It’s cold’
Stone Cold Cole Palmer
Palmer's recent “it’s cold” gesture, blowing on his hands, has quickly gone viral for its understated swagger and relatability, especially amongst younger fans in cold UK stadiums.
11. Mo Salah – ‘Prayer pose’
Salah’s sujood, kneeling in prayer, after every goal highlights faith and gratitude, setting an example of dignity that’s resonated and inspired many.
12. Kylian Mbappé – ‘Arms crossed’
Mbappé’s iconic arms-folded pose, first seen after scoring for Monaco, signals confidence and composure, already becoming a marker of his legacy.
13. Robbie Keane – ‘Cartwheel and forward roll with machine gun finale’
Keane’s unique routine featured acrobatics, albeit a little messy and a finger-gun salute, adding theatricality to each strike and making every goal a mini-celebration in itself.
14. Chloe Kelly – ‘Overhead shirt swing’
England hero Chloe Kelly
Kelly’s euphoric celebration after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final, swinging her shirt, channelled pure emotion and echoed Brandi Chastain’s U.S. Women's World Cup celebration.
15. Wayne Rooney – ‘Knock-out punch’
After a sparring video surfaced in the headlines, Rooney responded with a shadow boxing routine, “knocking himself out” in front of fans, a mix of self-parody and swagger.
16. Mario Balotelli – ‘Why always me’
Balotelli’s goal in the Manchester derby revealed an undershirt printed with this rhetorical question, encapsulating his controversial but often spectacular presence on the pitch.
17. Faustino Asprilla – Acrobatic flips
Asprilla’s incredible series of somersaults celebrated his agility and brought circus-like excitement every time he scored, making him a cult hero in the process. Props to Lomana Lua Lua, also known for his acrobatics and back flips
18. Marcus Rashford – ‘Finger to temple’
Rashord Celebrates
Rashford’s gesture, pointing to his head, symbolises focus and mental strength, sending a positive message about fortitude to all who witness.
19. Fabrizio Ravanelli – ‘Shirt over his head’
“White Feather” Ravanelli turned the simple act of pulling his shirt over his head into a trademark, with the image forever associated with 90s Serie A goalscoring.
20. Emmanuel Adebayor – ‘Knee slide vs Arsenal’
After scoring against his former club Arsenal, Adebayor’s lengthy run and knee slide in front of their away fans became an infamous moment of football drama and controversy.
Greatest Goal Poll Results
Goal celebrations do much more than mark a stunning strike, they help players stand out and be remembered (46% of respondents agreed), bring a sense of playfulness and fun to the game (43%), and transform a simple goal into an entertainment moment that lingers well beyond the match (38%).
In fact, around 22% of football fans admit to having copied or recreated a famous celebration themselves, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ and Cole Palmer’s ‘It’s Cold’ among the most imitated, shared between impromptu kickabouts, moments in front of the TV, or even everyday events celebrated around the house.
Fans highlighted the importance of humour, playfulness, and a visible connection with supporters as key ingredients for an iconic celebration. 83% think that football goal celebrations influence younger fans to copy their heroes, and 82% feel that signature celebrations have a positive impact on the game for the scoring team.
Still, times are changing: With the introduction of VAR, celebrations can be more cautious, with fans noting a drop in spontaneous, joyous reactions (39% say players are more careful now, and 31% see reactions becoming more subdued).
Jake Ashton
- Your Betting Odds Guide 👍
These signature moves aren’t simply about showing off, but about identity, storytelling, and sometimes, controversy. They’re as much a part of footballing folklore as the goals themselves, with fans of all ages constantly imitating their heroes, be it on muddy grassroots pitches or in the living room after a well-deserved win in a family kickabout. As long as football exists, so will the celebration, a unique punctuation mark to the thrill of scoring.
