Better than Rooney and Ronaldo… however is it pretty much as good as Gareth Bale?

On Sunday evening, followers of the Premier League have been handled to one of many targets of the season after a second of magic from Manchester United‘s Alejandro Garnacho. 

The Argentina winger wanted simply two minutes to interrupt the impasse for United of their league journey to Everton and he did so in emphatic vogue. 

After neat play between Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot down the right-side, the full-back whipped in a cross that fell simply behind Garnacho. Did it matter? No. 

The winger shortly adjusted, leapt within the air and smashed a first-time bicycle kick effort into Everton’s high nook and, in flip, silenced the house crowd. 

Many have advised it is top-of-the-line targets ever scored, whereas others have been fast to check it with Wayne Rooney‘s effort towards Man City in 2011.

So, right here, Mail Sport has taken a take a look at the all-time bicycle kicks… however the place did Garnacho’s effort rank? 

10. Masuluke v Baroka FC, 2016

Back in 2016, throughout Baroka FC’s conflict with Orlando Pirates, goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke carried out the unthinkable. 

In the 97th minute, together with his aspect 1-0 down, Masuluke determined to channel his internal Wayne Rooney and rifled an acrobatic effort over the opposition defence and into the online. 

In doing so, he turned the one goalkeeper to have ever been shortlisted for a Puskas Award.

9. Ronaldinho v Villarreal 2006 

While Masuluke opted for a first-time effort, former Barcelona and Brazil trickster Ronaldinho opted to take his acrobatic effort in a unique vogue. 

During Barcelona’s 2006 conflict with Villarreal, the ahead managed the ball on his chest earlier than firing his effort into the purpose. 

Although controlling the ball first makes the bicycle kick manoeuvre simpler, the velocity at which Ronaldinho rotated his physique couldn’t be defended. Fans contained in the Nou Camp have been left with their arms on their head in disbelief.

8. Philippe Mexes v Anderlecht 2012 

There’s no better proof of the evolution of soccer than this purpose. 

A centre-back, taking the ball down on his chest and producing a bicycle-kick which looped over the keeper’s head from outdoors the field.

World Cup apart, there is no better stage than the Champions League – which is the precise competitors which Philippe Mexes managed to search out the again of the online in. 

This wasn’t his solely screamer both, as a karate-esque method noticed him rating spectacularly in a 2015 Milan derby.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimović v England 2013

If you are an England fan, you may undoubtedly keep in mind this gorgeous effort throughout England’s pleasant with Sweden one decade in the past.  

After Joe Hart vacated his purpose and modelled what sweeper keepers shouldn’t do, Zlatan Ibrahimovic nonetheless had his work lower out to complete from that distance.

The Swede produced a outstanding end, particularly contemplating the very fact his again was at an ungainly angle from purpose. The effort gained him the 2013 Puskas Award.

6. Wayne Rooney v Manchester City 2011 

There’s getting one over your rivals after which there’s this. The Premier League’s hallmark bicycle kick.

Delivered by Nani, the ball looped behind Rooney in a teasing vogue. Nitpickers will say it linked off the shin however the connection was nonetheless emphatic sufficient to ship Sir Alex Ferguson into profanities of jubilance.

During Sky Sports’ protection on Sunday, Gary Neville advised that Garnacho’s effort surpassed that of Rooney – and we agree! 

5. Cristiano Ronaldo v Juventus 2018 

The method for this bicycle kick was so textbook, it seems as if Cristiano Ronaldo went into gradual movement as he approached the ball.

The Portuguese ahead leapt within the air and made an emphatic reference to the ball, earlier than watching it fly into the online of his future membership.  

Even the good Gianluigi Buffon didn’t transfer because the ball satisfyingly nestled into the bottom-right nook, within the Champions League quarter-final tie.

4. Mauro Bressan v Barcelona 1999 

This try outlined audacity.

Comfortably outdoors the Barcelona field, Mauro Bressan formed up with that recognisable bicycle kick method and generated the mandatory energy to search out the highest nook – kissing the crossbar on the way in which.

3. Alejandro Garnacho v Everton 2023 

What makes Garnacho’s effort so good? 

Diogo Dalot’s cross, away from purpose quite than in direction of it, lead Garnacho to scatter backwards and use the leverage of his standing leg to swing the opposite, with the connection candy sufficient to beat a well-positioned Jordan Pickford.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes joked Garnacho had been watching too many Cristiano Ronaldo movies, however I strongly advise anybody to observe extra if it produces that.

2. Trevor Sinclair v Barnsley 1997 

When individuals discuss in regards to the magic of the FA Cup, perhaps they imply this. A purpose any striker would want for, as Trevor Sinclair’s bicycle kick flew in from outdoors the field.

The goalkeeper’s positioning was as suspect as his delayed dive, however there was slim probability he was anticipating that nor any probability of him saving it both.

1. Gareth Bale v Liverpool 2018

Gareth Bale’s purpose felt misplaced even in membership soccer’s most elite ultimate. It was that particular. 

The Welsh wizard judged Marcelo’s high-flying, deflected cross completely earlier than turning spherical to unleash an effort which flew previous Liverpool’s Loris Karius.

It’s insulting to suppose he began the sport on the bench after a present of such high quality. Even his supervisor Zinedine Zidane, whom he had a reportedly advanced relationship with, purred over the end on the sideline.