15 Football Goals to Watch Before You Die

Throughout our time as fans of "the beautiful game", we have been exposed to hundreds upon hundreds of goals.

Some we never forget. 

Others are more easily forgotten.

Games with a high score are often considered the most exciting and not without reason. Goals are the very vehicle a team uses to win a game, tie a game, lose a game, win a cup, or lose a title.

It is undeniable that it is goal scoring that the footballing world centers on, and the most important thing to a fan at the end of the day is the scoreline.

That being said, let's have a look at 15 goals over the history of the game that were so great they could never be forgotten (in no particular order).

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona scored this beauty during his time with Manchester United.

After dodging player and player, the Frenchman receives a return pass and heads straight for the net.

As he shoots, it looks as though the ball is heading out of play, but suddenly the net shakes and the score goes up!

George Best

My goodness.

After refusing to let these defenders down, Best took his shot and clearly, the ball went in.

Rivaldo

Bicycle kicks are never easy to get on target, let alone complete.

We see many failed attempts, and obviously, some success.

One of those successes was Rivaldo's stunner against Valencia during his time at Barcelona.

After a well-mastered bicycle kick, the ball heads for the net, barely missing the post.

All the key elements of of a great goal.

Diego Maradona

Look at that run.

What more can I say?

Maradona ran more than half the field before taking this killer shot.

It really it speaks for itself!

Dennis Bergkamp

Whoa.

Dennis Bergkamp's mad skills came in handy here.

He just tips the ball mid-air around the defender, right past the goalkeeper, while making everyone look foolish in the process, putting Arsenal ahead against Newcastle.

Dejan Syankovic

A counter attack canceled, a failed attempt on target, and finally Stankovic does it.

He gets that goal for Inter, but it's not just any goal: Stankovic shoots from the half-way line, and the ball flies all the way into the back of Manuel Neuer and Schalke's net.

Stunning.

Roberto Carlos

That was unexpected.

Usually, a free-kick from that spot on the field does not result in a goal. But don't tell Roberto Carlos.

After a foul was won by Ronaldo, Carlos launched the ball towards the net, surprising fans as it hit the inside netting.

A goal was so unlikely in this situation that even the ball boy behind the boards can be seen ducking.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

After the uphill battle to the net, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is rewarded with this beauty.

Watch and see for yourself.

His build-up is just amazing.

Zinedine Zidane

Bicycle kick? No thanks.

Or as they say in France: "Non merci"!

Zidane doesn't even need to do a full bicycle kick to score this, which is what makes it such a beautiful goal. He just angles his leg perfectly and whacks the ball, sending in flying into the net.

Coridon

What a strange angle to have to shot on.

Coridon had to sort of lean over and blast the ball above his head and into the net it went.

Instant satisfaction for him and the Paris St Germain supporters alike.

Ricardo Quaresma

Wow.

At first, adding this goal to my list looks like a major mistake on my part.

After all, the ball is going out, no?

Wait a second!

Whoa!

How did that end up in the net? What a curve!

Quaresma's shot somehow manages to make it into the net. Definitely a must-see for all football fans!

Cesc Fabregas

Sorry to the Tottenham fans who wish not to relive this again, but this goal is undeniably fantastic!

The ref blows the whistle, then a few passes, and all of a sudden; Boom!  Cesc is off.

It is a beautiful run with an awesome ending.

Shota Arveladze

At first, this goal seems to pale in comparison to the others in this compilation. However, when watching the replay, you see the true quality of this goal.

The Georgian striker put the ball over the head of the Sparta defender, ran past him, and blasted it  into the net.

Why is that special? The ball never touched the ground as he left the defender behind him.

Lionel Messi

Back in the old days when Lionel Messi had long hair this goal was scored.

"The Little Genius", as he is often called, tosses aside every defender in his path and then abuses the goalkeeper.

Messi is lauded as one of the best players of his generation. And while he has scored many, many goals, this is one you don't want to miss.

Roberto Carlos vs. Tenerife

This video pretty much explains to us why this is such an incredible goal, but if you don't care to  watch the entire thing, at least see the goal at the beginning.

This is the second Roberto Carlos strike on this list and it is just as unforgettable as the first.

Starting his run all the way at the back line, Carlos somehow manages to swing that ball in towards the net.

Not much else needs to be said.

The goal say it all!