Five Best Goal Celebrations of All Time

Scoring goals is one of the greatest experiences in football and here we have our rundown of the five best and, often unique, celebrations in the game's history.

Mario Balotelli dives during a cup game with Manchester City

Through the decades, football goal celebrations seem to have got more and more elaborate and some are iconic.

After scouring the archives for some of the most memorable, here is the Mansion Bet list of the best goal celebrations of all time.

Jurgen Makes His Mark in England

When Jurgen Klinsmann arrived in the Premier League in 1994, it was described as one of the biggest transfer coups in English football.

At the age of 30, many wondered whether the World Cup winner could adapt to the physical English league and make his mark in a Tottenham team that were a long way from challenging for the title.

Klinsmann was a revelation from day one and the former Inter Milan star made an impression on his debut. Not only did he score in a 3-4 win at Sheffield Wednesday, but he made fun of earlier criticism.

The striker had been the target of diving claims during Italia 90 and after scoring at Hillsborough, he and his Spurs team-mates flung themselves to the ground – a celebration we would see a few more times that season.

Mario Says It With Words

It’s fair to say Mario Balotelli has been a controversial figure during his playing career, but the Italian ace has often brought laughter and smiles to football fans.

When at Manchester City – who are 13/10 to lift the Champions League trophy this season – Balotelli became a cult hero of the fans and will be forever remembered for a goal he scored in a Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Balotelli slotted home in a 6-1 thrashing of City’s local rivals and then in a very laid-back style, lifted his shirt above his head to reveal a t-shirt slogan.

The writing on the t-shirt said “Why Always Me?”, which was understood to be a reference to a fire that happened at his flat two days earlier!

Toon Ace Shows Real Passion

A 1998 Premier League clash between Newcastle and Bolton finished 2-1 to the hosts but wouldn’t be remembered by many if it wasn’t for the winning goal celebration.

Temuri Ketsbaia came off the bench with 11 minutes remaining, looking to prove a point having been dropped by then Magpies boss Kenny Dalglish.

In stoppage time, the Georgian international scored the winner before unleashing the most memorably angry celebration that we’ve ever seen.

Ketsbaia took his shirt off and threw it into the crowd, before then unsuccessfully trying to get his boots off to do the same.

When he couldn’t remove them and whilst trying to be restrained by team-mate Alessandro Pistone, he then took his anger out on the advertising boards – kicking them as hard as possible, not once, not twice by three times!

Tardelli Becomes a World Cup Icon

Whenever any World Cup video footage is played, you can guarantee that Marco Tardelli’s celebration from the 1982 final will feature.

With just over 20 minutes to go and with Italy – 10/1 to win Euro 2020 – beating Germany 1-0, the Juventus midfielder fired the decisive second goal into the back of the net.

Tardelli then ran away in tears, arms stretched out and looking in almost disbelief, as he ran around the pitch at the Bernabeu.

Adebayor Rubs Arsenal Faces in It

In July 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor caused a stir when he completed a £25million switch from Arsenal to Manchester City after three years with the Gunners.

The Togo international left the Emirates under a cloud and made his feelings known when the two sides met four matches into the 2009-2010 season.

Adebayor scored in a 4-2 win at the Etihad Stadium, deciding after the goal to run the full length of the pitch and slide on his knees to celebrate in front of the travelling Arsenal fans.

*All odds correct at time of writing.

Warren has been employed as a sport journalist for over two decades and as well as years of written experience, has also worked in other areas of the media including radio and television. Football has always been his number one passion, but has also commentated and written on a number of other sports including golf, cricket, tennis and rugby.
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