Sometimes the celebration after the goal is even better than the goal itself! Some are funny, some are emotional, and some are just plain iconic. The way soccer players have chosen to celebrate the moment the ball hits the net over the years has turned ordinary moments into legendary ones that will go down in history. From trademark moves to rehearsed routines, every player showcases their passion from scoring a goal in a unique way, and as a result we get even more insight into who our favourite players really are. So, here's a breakdown of some of the most unforgettable soccer celebrations in history and the iconic stories behind them!

Erling Haaland’s “Zen” Move

Erling Haaland is no stranger to scoring goals and he likes to express himself in different ways! But his “Zen” pose has become one of his most famous celebrations. Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed and hands resting on his knees as a nod to his love of meditation. Back in 2020, after Dortmund lost in the Champions League, the entire PSG team mocked Haaland by doing the same pose. Whenever fans see the Norwegian player go into his Zen mode, they know the moment is sure to go down in history!

Bebeto’s Baby Rock

One of the most historic goal celebrations in history involves Brazil’s Bebeto. In the 1994 World Cup, Bebeto scored a goal against the Netherlands and started rocking an imaginary baby to celebrate. His teammates Romario and Mazinho also joined in and started rocking with him. The moment was a meaningful and heartfelt tribute to his wife who had just given birth to his third child. It quickly became one of the most copied celebration moves (for good reason) and Brazil ended up winning the World Cup a few days later for the perfect happy ending!

Mario Balotelli’s “Why Always Me?”

If one thing is certain, it’s that Mario Balotelli will never be the kind of player that lets any kind of criticism get him down. He displayed this with his celebration in the 2011 Manchester Derby. After scoring against Manchester United, Balotelli lifted his jersey to reveal a shirt underneath that said, “Why Always Me?” in bold letters. This was his iconic way of showing that he wouldn’t shy away from any controversy and the message may have been simple, but it ended up being unforgettable. Not only did Manchester City win that day, but they also destroyed United 6-1, making the moment even more celebration worthy!

Wayne Rooney’s Knockout

When Wayne Rooney has an opportunity to clap back at the haters, he takes it! Before a 2015 match against Spurs, a video of Rooney went viral of him seemingly getting knocked out during a kitchen boxing match with a friend. He received a lot of criticism in the tabloids for the scandal and chose to respond to it in an iconic way. After scoring a goal, he hilariously threw a few imaginary punches and dramatically fell backward like he’d been knocked out. There’s never a dull moment when Rooney is involved!

Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siuuu” 

No matter what Cristiano Ronaldo is doing, fans can always rely on him to put on a legendary performance! His famous way of celebrating a goal goes back to his Portuguese roots following his 2014 Ballon d'Or win. First, he runs, jumps, turns in the air, lands with his arms out, and yells “Siuuu” (which means “yes” in Portuguese) loud enough to shake the stadium. Now, his “Siuuu” move has become his go-to after every goal he has scored since and is the most copied celebration by fans, kids, and fellow players in history!

Lionel Messi’s Tribute

Lionel Messi’s most iconic celebration moment is entirely unique and personal to him! His move is simply holding up 2 fingers pointed to the sky in honour of his grandmother, who supported his passion for the sport and stood by him since day one. But it wasn’t until 2017 that he scored his 500th goal for Barcelona and switched things up. He surprised fans by taking off his shirt and holding it up proudly in front of the roaring crowd to take in the incredible moment of his career. It wasn’t flashy and didn’t have any special hidden meaning to him, but this celebration quickly became one of the most memorable in soccer history.

Now that you know our favourite celebration moments in soccer history, which one do you consider the best? Soccer celebrations are so much more than just rehearsed or spontaneous moves, they tell stories about the players' lives during that time! Whether they’re personal tributes or a way to get back at the haters, fans can’t get enough of the goals and the celebrations that follow.