Cristiano Ronaldo Bicycle Kick in Real Madrid vs Juventus Tie is One of The Best Five Bicycle-Kick Goals in Football History (Watch Videos)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle kick in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win against Juventus in UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg in Turin is being described as the best the Portuguese skipper has scored in his glittering career. The forward rose more than two meters to rifle home his second goal of the game in an acrobatic manner which led to even the opposition fans applauding in disbelief. Such was the brilliance of the goal that it virtually made time stand still as Cristiano Ronaldo went flying in the air to meet a cross from Dani Carvajal which was well behind Ronaldo and looked set to be cleared by the Italian defense. The timing of the goal makes it even more memorable as it more or less knocked Juventus out of the tie.

There were times in the game when Cristiano Ronaldo went anonymous but as has been the pattern of play of late with Zinedine Zidane's Los Blancos, their talisman provided the much-needed spark. His first was finish from a tight angle but it was the second that has the world mesmerised about the wealth of talent at Cristiano's disposal.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo's Bicycle Kick vs. Juventus in UEFA Champions League

Bicycle Kicks often tend to add to the whole drama of scoring a goal. It brings out the best of the physical side of a footballer as well as his finishing skill. You have got to be at the best of your agility to score these goals and for fans, it is a visual treat no other goal tends to create. Here we look at some of the best bicycle kicks by footballers.

1. Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City

Manchester United’s leading goal scorer Wayne Rooney effort against arch-rivals Manchester City was voted as the best goal in the twenty seasons of English Premier League back in 2012. The 2011 Manchester Derby was decided by Wayne Rooney’s brilliance as he spectacularly met a Luis Nani cross in the 77th minute between two Manchester City defenders to take his side 2-1 up. The look on Sir Alex Ferguson's face when Rooney scored was enough to make us realize about the nature of the goal. Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United later went onto claim their 19th league title and the goal has etched out a permanent place in the EPL folklore

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a man famous for scoring great goals and England was at the receiving end of one of the greatest ever goals scored in a game of football when Zlatan scored a bicycle kick from 40 meters with the goalkeeper off his line. Leading the line for his nation Sweden in an international friendly against the Three Lions, Zlatan had already bagged in a hat-trick and with his side leading 3-2 in the dying moments, he latched on to clearance from English custodian Joe Hart and set his body in motion mid-air to put in his effort sailing into the goal with Joe Hart and his defenders looking helplessly.

3. Philippe Mexes vs Anderlecht

The French defender had a mixed bag in his five-year stint with AC Milan but will always be remembered for his effort against Anderlecht in the 2012 UEFA Champions League group stage match. He controlled a free kick on his chest at the edge of the box and his bicycle effort looped into the goal to double his sides lead in the game. It was a stroke of luck as Philippe Mexes admitted and he was frank to admit he may not replicate that effort ever again in his lifetime.

4. Dimitar Berbatov vs Liverpool

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov had a lazy elegance about his game that few in his time had in them. He always seemed to have that extra second on the ball which was unique about his play. So when Liverpool visited Old Trafford in the 2010-11 season, the Merseyside club played spectator as Berbatov went about his business. Controlling Luis Nani’s cross on his thigh, he made the ball rise enough to fire home a jaw-dropping bicycle effort that went off the crossbar.

5. Trevor Sinclair vs Barnsley

The FA cup encounter between Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley saw Trevor Sinclair scored the 1996-97 Goal of the Season. David Barnsley’s poor cross was met by Sinclair just outside the box with his back facing the goal and he sent in a flying attempt onto the roof of the net with pinpoint precision.

These were some of the picks from a long list of great goals scored with bicycle kicks. Reliving these great goals brings a sense of joy to the football fans and there is a sense of nostalgia too about them. We hope you enjoyed it to the maximum.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 05, 2018 03:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).