Top 10 best football celebrations

Top 10 best football celebrations

From Cristiano Ronaldo’s renowned “Siu!” to Kylian Mbappe’s crossed arms – Football has seen innumerable celebrations by players over the years and we are here to rank some of the best of them.

Football players’ celebrations are a true pop culture phenomenon, and they happen far beyond the pitch. Regardless of the age of the person reclaiming it, everyone has copied their idol’s distinctive gesture on the playground, in public, during a game with friends, or simply for fun. We’ll examine the Top 10 greatest football celebrations in this article.

10 Best Football Celebrations

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Siuuu

Cristiano Ronaldo - Siuuu
Cristiano Ronaldo – Siuuu (Credits: Getty)

An iconic meme that went viral. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner, shocked everyone by yelling, “Siuuu,” yeah, in Portuguese, to an agog crowd. Ever since he has cried this out for practically all of his goals.

The former Real Madrid striker leaped into the air as he ran for the corner, seemingly to generate speed, then turned and extended his arms to the ground. A now-famous celebration that is carried out by fans in every stadium and by numerous athletes who want to honor the Lusitanian great. It is an effect that extends beyond the field.

2. Lionel Messi – The Barcelona shirt

Lionel Messi - The Barcelona shirt
Lionel Messi – The Barcelona shirt (Credits: Getty)

Perhaps there is no greater moment to shine than during the Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Lionel Messi has played in this fixture multiple times throughout his stint with the Catalan giants. However, the 23rd of April 2017 will go down in history. With the clock winding down and the score still knotted at 2-2 with only seconds left, the No. 10 came off the bench to score his team’s victory with a shot from the edge of the box.

The 2022 World Cup winner, who had been marked by Madrid players throughout the game, was overjoyed. In his joy, the Argentinian removed his shirt and handed it to the Real Madrid fans before signing himself, having just turned off the lights at the Bernabeu.

Also Read: Lionel Messi names Real Madrid and Manchester City as the best clubs in world football

3. Mario Balotelli – Why always me?

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli – Why always me? (Credits: Getty)

One of the most famous celebrations in history. On October 23, 2011, Manchester United welcomed their neighbors and rivals Manchester City in the derby. It was a contest that will be remembered not just for the Skyblues’ 6-1 victory, but also for Mario Balotelli’s celebration, which will live on in the minds of everyone who witnessed it.

The Italian, who scored twice in the game, lifted his shirt, revealing an undershirt with the words “Why always me?” A few thoughts on the various newspaper stories published against him who frequently focus on what he did wrong rather than what he did right. A way for him to mock one of the fundamental issues with modern football.

4. Thierry Henry – Allure sliding

Thierry Henry - Allure sliding
Thierry Henry – Allure sliding (Credits: Getty)

Thierry Henry is unquestionably one of the best strikers in football history. While he is best renowned for his numerous goals and incredible finishing ability, some of his celebrations have become legendary. So much so that a statue of one of his celebrations was constructed on the outskirts of the Emirates Stadium during a North London derby in 2002.

The Frenchman, who scored the first goal in a 3-0 victory, celebrated by sliding on his knees in front of the ecstatic Highbury crowd, maintaining his chest straight and high. Iconic.

5. Wayne Rooney – K.O.

Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney – K.O. (Credits: Getty)

The Sun published a video in 2015 on the sidelines of a Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham in which Wayne Rooney appeared “knocked out” after a boxing training session with teammate Phil Bardsley; the former Red Devils number 10 has never hidden his love for the sport.

A paper that, at the time, clearly caused a lot of ink to flow, and to which the England international chose to answer humorously. After scoring his third goal against Spurs, Rooney celebrated by throwing a couple of pretend punches before falling backward as if stunned. A gesture that no one has forgotten even now.

6. Paul Gascoigne – Dentist chair

Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne – Dentist chair (Credits: Getty)

Everyone will remember Paul Gascoigne’s spectacular solo goal against Scotland in Euro 1996. But, more than the goal, the former Tottenham player’s celebration will live on in memory. Lying on his back, ‘Gazza’ encouraged his comrades to pour the contents of numerous water bottles into his mouth.

It was reminiscent of the ‘dentist’s chairs’ commonly found in bars, in which clients lie down and allow the staff to pour liquor and liqueurs into their open mouths. It’s a funny and clever way to respond to the English tabloids, which have always been obsessed with gossip.

Also Read: BREAKING: Introduction of Purple Card in Football for Prolonged Celebrations

7. Fabrizio Ravanelli – Shirt over head

Fabrizio Ravanelli - Shirt over head
Fabrizio Ravanelli – Shirt overhead (Credits: Getty)

Shirt over face, arms spread, fingers pointing to the horizon: anyone who has ever played football, no matter how old, has tried Fabrizio Ravanelli’s renowned celebration. This outpouring of excitement stems from a cause that the Italian championed in opposition to FIFA’s new rules, which prohibited players from removing their shirts when celebrating after a score and punished any violations with a yellow card.

From Juventus to Middlesbrough and Olympique de Marseille, the Transalpine serial goalscorer never stopped playing with the tiny asterisk. To his credit, he has become a historical figure.

8. Robbie Keane – Cartwheel

Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane – Cartwheel (Credits: Getty)

Robbie Keane, a fearsome goalscorer, has left his mark on the history of the Irish national team, where he is still the leading scorer. And, like many great strikers, the former Tottenham, Inter Milan, and Leeds United star made his hallmark move.

After beating the opposing goalkeeper, Keane would sprint down the goal line, perform a cartwheel, a somersault and conclude by faking rifle shots. Perhaps not the most aesthetically attractive celebration in history, but one that fits the British centre-forward’s personality. An eruption of excitement that began in his boyhood and continued throughout his remarkable career.

9. Erling Haaland – Zen

Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland – Zen (Credits: Getty)

This is one of those celebrations inspired by a way of life.

Erling Haaland, a formidable scorer with a big personality, has long been known to celebrate many of his scores by simulating a yoga pose, specifically the well-known lotus pose. As he has already stated, meditation is an essential component of his life, offering him peace and tranquillity. This is the simple explanation of his celebration.

A celebration that, in 2020, did not please the Paris Saint-Germain players, who enjoyed replicating it after eliminating Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League competition. For background, the Norwegian celebrated in this manner during the first leg, in which he scored a brace.

Also Read: Erling Haaland’s Cup Finals and Semifinals Record: A Closer Look at the Manchester City Star

10. Jamie Vardy – Prancing bird

Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy – Prancing bird (Credits: Getty)

It would be impossible to compile a list of the top celebrations without adding Jamie Vardy, who has delivered some unforgettable performances.

Among these, the ‘Prancing bird’ stands out. In 2019, as Leicester headed to Crystal Palace, the England striker sealed the win for the Foxes (who had not scored at Selhurst Park in three years) at the final whistle (0-2). The Three Lions international let his joy out as he dashed in front of the Palace fans, like a fragmented bird. It was a high degree of humor that those called the Eagles would enjoy – or not.