The Greatest Goals

Goals That Defined An Era

Solo runs, overhead kicks, free kicks and finals. The moments fans still replay years later.

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Top 10 Goals

Ten unforgettable strikes, from early solo runs to the biggest final of them all.

01
2007 • Lionel Messi

The Getafe Solo Run

Collects the ball in his own half and beats defender after defender before rounding the keeper.

02
2008 • Cristiano Ronaldo

The Moscow Header

Rises above the Chelsea defence to head Manchester United in front in the Champions League final.

03
2009 • Lionel Messi

The Rome Header

A rare header in the Champions League final seals the trophy for Barcelona against Manchester United.

04
2011 • Lionel Messi

The Bernabeu Slalom

Slaloms through Real Madrid's defence in a Champions League semi-final at their own stadium.

05
2017 • Lionel Messi

The Last-Minute Clasico

Scores the winner in stoppage time at the Bernabeu, then holds up his shirt to the crowd.

06
2018 • Cristiano Ronaldo

The Overhead Kick

Meets a cross with a stunning overhead kick in Turin and earns applause from the home fans.

07
2018 • Cristiano Ronaldo

The Free Kick Against Spain

Completes a World Cup hat-trick with a late free kick to rescue a 3-3 draw for Portugal.

08
2019 • Lionel Messi

The Liverpool Free Kick

Curls a long-range free kick into the top corner in a Champions League semi-final.

09
2021 • Cristiano Ronaldo

The Record Breaker

Two late headers against Ireland make him the leading scorer in men's international football.

10
2022 • Lionel Messi

The Lusail Final

Scores twice in the World Cup final against France as Argentina lift the trophy.

Two Ways To Score

Different strengths, the same hunger. How each of them finds the back of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo running with the ball for Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo

The Finisher

Power, movement and timing. Ronaldo built his game around arriving in the box at exactly the right moment.

Lionel Messi striking the ball for Argentina
Lionel Messi

The Creator

Balance, vision and close control. Messi creates his own chances where there seem to be none.

Signature Finishes

The types of goals fans will always connect with these two names.

Free Kicks

Ronaldo's knuckleballs against Messi's curling efforts over the wall.

Headers

Timing and leap turned Ronaldo into one of the best headers of a ball.

Solo Runs

Messi's close control lets him glide past entire defences at full speed.

Big Finals

Both have scored in finals, from the Champions League to the World Cup.

More Than Goals

Explore the careers and the numbers behind the greatest rivalry in football.

Lionel Messi celebrating with both arms raised
Messi CR7

The Rivalry In Numbers

Two players pushed each other to the top of the game for more than a decade. Here is how they compare.

Ronaldo
Messi
05
Ballon d'Or
08
05
Champions League
04
2002
Senior Debut
2004
7
Shirt Number
10
1985
Born
1987

Two different styles, one shared standard, and a debate that fans will never finish.