The Top Ten Best... Volleys
Last week we brought you 'The Top 10 Best... Bicycle Kick Goals' for your eyes to digest, this week it's time to see what are some of the best volleys ever scored in the game. All the big names are here: Rooney, Zidane, Scholes, Ibrahimovic, and also a few you might not have heard of. So sit back, relax and enjoy and vote on your favourite from this list!
10. Paulo di Canio (West Ham) vs Wimbledon, 2000
A goal that is well known for its sublime finish but also because of the man who scored it. Di Canio, a controversial but humorous player scored one of his best ever goals, connecting superbly with a diagonal cross smashing it to the far corner of the net with his right foot while airborne.
9. Robin van Persie (Arsenal) vs Charlton, 2006
A tremendous finish that comes as no surprise based on his endless goals during his Arsenal days. Robin connects beautifully with a cross from the right wing leaving the keeper no chance. His movement is second to none as he times it perfectly with his left foot. He’s not called Van Perfect for nothing!
8. Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan) vs Schalke, 2011
The Serbian has a history of scoring spectacular goals and this is one of his best. Timing, accuracy, vision and ability are all existent here as he amazingly scores from the halfway line, capitalizing on Manuel Neuer’s poor clearance by sending the ball back with a beautiful right foot volley. Unbelievable tekkers!
7. Arjen Robben (Real Madrid) vs Borussia Dortmund, 2009
The little Dutchman displayed his class once again as he adds another spectacular goal to the catalogue! A pre-season friendly between the two sides didn’t hold Robben back as he literally smashes home a cleared corner. Dortmund’s keeper is left with no chance of saving this beauty! If a bullet was ever shot in a football match, this is it!
6. Hamit Altintop (Turkey) vs Kazakhstan, 2010
The Angle and distance from goal are against Altintop but that doesn’t faze him as he perfectly times the volley from a corner. Just outside the box he blasts his shot top corner. He shows his ability with his pure connection and accuracy!
5. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) vs Newcastle, 2006
A ‘Rooney Special’ from six years ago as young Wayne continues to go strength to strength with a sublime volley against Newcastle in Old Trafford. Ironically Rooney was perfectly placed to score as he had been arguing the ref on the halfway line moments before the goal.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) vs France, 2012
When Zlatan comes to mind, we think Big Nose, girly hair and tremendous goals! Here’s one from his long showcase which occurred during Euro 2012 against France. A mix of a scissor-kick and volley, he scores in the blink of an eye. Perfect connection and timing = Unbelievable Jeff!
3. Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2002
A famous goal scored by a famous player! Doesn’t get much better than this - Champions League Final and scores the winning goal. Just before half-time Zizou creates a masterpiece that would even make Michelangelo proud. Connects magnificently with his weaker left foot. If there is ever a way to deliver on the big stage, this is it!
2. Paul Scholes (Manchester United) vs Aston Villa, 2007
The Ginger Wizard does it again! Scholesy scores an amazing right-footed volley from 25 yards out. Power, pace and dip makes this shot unstoppable as it crashes of the underside of the crossbar to make it look that bit more spectacular!
1. Eric Hassli (Vancouver Whitecaps) vs Seattle Sounders, 2011
Some people may disagree with this choice as no. 1 but for me this goal is unlike any of the others above. Unknown to most, Eric Hassli a former French U-21 International became a YouTube sensation following this goal. The 31 year-old not only scores an outrageous goal but even sets himself up for the volley. With back to goal on the corner of the box, he flicks up the ball, and as he takes on the shot, swivels resulting in a pure connection that flies into the far top corner. A quite remarkable goal!