The 20 Most Elaborate Goal Celebrations in Soccer History

Goals! We love them in football. Whether a last-minute, match-winning screamer into the top corner from 30 yards or a scruffy, deflected effort from close range, everybody loves scoring goals.

The moment the ball crosses the line is a split-second of unadulterated joy, a microcosm of emotion which can manifest itself in the most marvelous, or mad, ways.

Celebrations are sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous, often embarrassing and sometimes stupendous. We love those the most.

Here are the top 20 most elaborate goal celebrations in the world of football. It should, of course, be noted that the best players don't always pick up the best celebrations, so we have half from the known world of football and half from the soft underbelly of the amateur game.

Amateurs at football, perhaps, but certainly not amateurs at celebrating.

Julius Aghahowa

Let's start as we mean to go on: in style and with plenty of ability!

Former Nigeria and Shakhtar Donetsk striker Julius Aghahowa kicks off the goal celebrations with his never-ending series of back-flips.

Aghahowa did feature in the Premier League during a spell with Wigan Athletic but English fans were never graced with his celebration as he failed to find the back of the net with the Lancashire side.

He has, however, scored 14 times for Nigeria, including one at the 2002 World Cup. He is currently without a club.

Roger Milla

A 38-year-old dancing by a pole might conjure up memories of your uncle trying to look cool at a family get together after a few too many beers, but Roger Milla somehow pulled off that particular series of moves looking cool and suave.

Probably because he did it after scoring important goals in the World Cup; that does tend to lend itself a few bonus points to any situation.

Milla's famous celebration after scoring twice past Colombia has long been regarded as the symbolic beginning of ever more elaborate and (sometimes) impressive goal celebrations.

These were scored during Italia '90 World Cup. 

Marco Tardelli

Passion.

There can be no other word to describe the emotions, the expression, the raw outpouring of feeling from Marco Tardelli as he peels away from goal, having lashed in a super strike in the final of the 1982 World Cup.

This is one of football's most iconic goal celebrations of all time and, as Tardelli himself says, he was like a volcano exploding after it.

Nani

Famed for his acrobatic celebrations, Nani was seemingly told to stop the post-goal performances by his manager Alex Ferguson for fear of injuring himself.

It doesn't appear to have done much good as the Portuguese winger continues to bring out his party piece on the odd occasion.

The double backflip or the once-over from a standstill, as shown in this video, is as much a part of Nani's game as his step-overs or cutting infield from either flank.

Temuri Ketsbaia

Ah, Temuri Ketsbaia. For every imported foreigner who lights up the Premier League with scintillating performances, there's a whole handful who simply made up the numbers with inept, ineffective or effortless displays.

And then, somewhere in the middle, comes Ketsbaia.

He wasn't blessed with astounding ability and didn't prolong his stay for a whole host of years, and yet there is something undoubtedly endearing about the angry Geordie Georgian forward.

How best to describe this goal celebration? Just by literally explaining; that would do it most justice.

Ketsbaia scores, rips off his shirt, hurls it into the crowd, tries to take his boot off—but fails manfully—and settles for booting the advertising boards in front of a couple of startled photographers.

Brilliant.

Jimmy Bullard

One of the most comedic characters of the game has recently had to retire because of chronic knee injuries, and English football is all the poorer for Jimmy Bullard's absence.

Not just a joker, for a couple of seasons at his peak Bullard was an influential midfielder who could score goals, run all day and create chances.

His very best, though, was saved for the lighter hearted moments of the game, such as his epic celebration whereby he mimicked his boss's stern halftime team talk from the previous year out on the pitch.

Lomana Tresor LuaLua

You'll want to begin watching at 1:40 on this video for the splendiferous acrobatics of Lomana Tresor LuaLua, once of Newcastle, also of Portsmouth and a whole host of European-based teams aside.

The Congolese Aghahowa!

LuaLua's flips and thrills were seen most recently in England with a short spell at Blackpool, where he scored four times in 2011-12.

Steven Gerrard

After an important goal in a memorable match, comes a just-as-memorable celebration.

Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead en route to a big win at Manchester United and promptly headed for the TV camera crew to show his satisfaction.

Utilising media props seems to have become something of a fad in recent seasons for some players and this one was about as good as it gets.

Sinan Bolat

If in doubt, just run.

And run. And run.

And scream!

It's a good header, a great goal and a mad, crazy celebration full of fire and bewilderment at what a goalkeeper is doing in a place like that in the first place.

The video is good—but if you've ever wondered just what the average Belgian fan might react like when his goalkeeper heads in a 95th minute equaliser in the Champions League to stop his team being eliminated from Europe, I strongly urge a viewing of this one as well.

Peter Crouch

Brilliant or embarrassing? You decide.

Peter Crouch shows off his dance floor moves with a "Robot" dance which really does nothing more than highlight the odd frame he possesses.

The Robot brought some light relief at a time when England was not particularly good on the international stage, which might explain why he has not been a member of the now-all-conquering squad for some time.

After all, the team has to be pretty good if a striker with a record of 22 goals in 42 caps can't remain involved, right?

Asamoah Gyan

Moving on from Peter Crouch's dancing techniques, former full-time footballer Asamoah Gyan briefly strutted his stuff on Wearside as he wowed the Sunderland faithful with skilful performances both before and after scoring goals.

A rather more fluid and rhythmic attempt at dancing than Crouch managed, Gyan was nevertheless upstaged by the super-limber and cool-as-you-like Bolo Zenden, who clearly stomps his way to greatness on a Saturday night.

Over-Elaborate Team Celebration

Out of the professionals now and into the land of football that was left behind.

Or, in this case, Poland. Here a team is busy celebrating a goal together; a nice moment indeed.

Until the other team kick off.

Weird Giving-Birth Celebration from Icelandic Side

Yes, it's everybody's favourite Icelandic team: Stjarnan FC!

Three for the price of one here as the North-Europeans regale us with a wondrous series of performances.

Not only are there three goals to admire, but a selection of celebrations too.

We have a wind-up player, an untimely stumble and, most bizarrely, a giving birth session.

Really.

Ebbsfleet Fans

Moses Ashikodi is our man in the headlines this time—but there's nothing untoward about his celebration.

No, Ashikodi scores a perfectly good goal and celebrates in perfectly normal style. The accolade of over-exuberance in this instance instead goes to the Ebbsfleet fans, who in their excitement and gracelessness manage to topple over the barriers and end up in a heap on the pitch.

Classy stuff.

Bizarre Brazilian Dancing

What on earth is this about?

And who takes this long over a goal celebration?

Hand Grenades

Anybody who has watched Any Given Sunday will remember a similar celebration ensuing in an altogether different sport.

Another great example of team spirit shining through in the goal celebration; the "hand grenade" in action here seems to spend an awfully long time in the air before landing!

Let's Go Fishing

A Panenka penalty and a life-like fishing goal celebration?

It can only be our favourite Iceland side again, Stjarnan FC!

There's not really much more to add here.

Punching Through

We're into the dregs of the football league now as Lee Bradbury of Bournemouth manages to score a fine effort before rounding on all his team-mates, laying them to ground on his way back to the centre circle.

This is actually an oft-repeated team celebration, which can be found in several other videos of a similar ilk.

But Bournemouth don't get too much coverage here on Bleacher Report, so let's leave them in the limelight for a moment.

Comedy When You're Losing

Losing 3-0 but just scored a consolation goal?

What better way to celebrate than by sitting by yourself in the stands!

This match comes from England, where the inability to pass the ball—like Castleton's No. 8 at the beginning of the clip—remains a prized asset in some places.

Enjoy

The best goal celebrations aren't necessarily always the most elaborate—so here's a cheeky bonus for you all, with a compilation video of some of the best! Enjoy!

Follow @karlmatchett