Ranking the 10 most iconic goal celebrations in soccer history

Goals aren't a given in soccer, which makes the celebrations all the more impressive when they do happen. Here, theScore ranks the 10 most memorable scenes in the history of the sport.

10. Wayne Rooney vs. Tottenham

This was self-deprecation at its finest. Wayne Rooney's celebration against Tottenham in March 2015 was inspired by a recent bout with former teammate Phil Bardsley. The Sun published a video of the two sparring just before Manchester United's match against Spurs, but Rooney had the last laugh, taking the sting out of potentially damaging footage with this classic bit of shadowboxing.

9. Roger Milla vs. Romania

Roger Milla starred at the 1990 World Cup, but he wasn't even supposed to be there. The President of Cameroon made a personal phone call to Milla, who'd retired from international football, and convinced him to make the trip. At age 38, Milan scored four goals while leading Cameroon to the quarterfinals. His flamboyant celebrations remain the stuff of legend.

8. Peter Crouch vs. Jamaica

Peter Crouch and his lanky frame did the robot for the first time against Hungary in 2006, and he reprised the role in another pre-World Cup friendly against Jamaica. The eccentric celebration made Crouch a cult legend back home, but the former Liverpool and Tottenham striker saved it for special occasions. He gave it one final go after scoring his 100th Premier League goal in February 2017.

7. Francesco Totti vs. Lazio

It's the selfie that will live forever. In the midst of chaos, Francesco Totti - who was celebrating his second goal of the day against bitter rivals Lazio - beckoned for his phone and posed in front of Roma's famous Curva Sud. He had good reason: Totti's two goals had made him the joint top scorer in the history of the derby.

6. Brandi Chastain vs. China

After scoring the fifth and decisive penalty against China, Brandi Chastain tore off her shirt, dropped to her knees, and celebrated the biggest moment of her career. She'd just won the World Cup for the United States, but her reaction became a story in and of itself. Pictures of Chastain kneeling in her sports bra made papers across the globe. Sports Illustrated ran it on the cover with the headline, "Yes!"

5. Fabio Grosso vs. Germany

Speaking of pure and unadulterated joy, here's Fabio Grosso, the unsung hero of Italy's 2006 World Cup run, scoring in extra time against Germany. Grosso could scarcely believe what had just happened. The look of incredulousness on his face is priceless. Grosso's goal propelled the Azzurri to the final, where they beat France on penalties.

4. Emmanuel Adebayor vs. Arsenal

Back in September 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor produced one of the most memorable pieces of showmanship in Premier League history. He was facing Arsenal for the first time since completing his move to Manchester City, and he'd been feeling the wrath of his former supporters. When Adebayor scored, he sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans who'd spent the entire match tormenting him. Adebayor was suspended for two games and later claimed that he'd been racially abused.

3. Eric Cantona vs. Sunderland

Eric Cantona just stood there, basking in the glory of his latest goal for Manchester United, as if to say, "Look at me." Cantona's ridiculous solo effort against Newcastle United in 1996 is still remembered as one of the Premier League's finest, while his celebration stands out for its sheer arrogance.

2. Mario Balotelli vs. Manchester United

Mario Balotelli's time at Manchester City was eventful. The paparazzi had a field day whenever he pulled one of his many stunts, so he had every reason to believe he was treated differently. Ahead of the Manchester derby in 2011, Balotelli decided to send a message to his detractors. City's kitman prepared his undershirt and printed three indelible words on it. When Balotelli scored the first goal in a 6-1 romping, he revealed those words to the world while posing in clear defiance.

1. Marco Tardelli vs. West Germany

Marco Tardelli's celebration had it all: clenched fists, a guttural roar, and the look of madness in his eyes. His goal against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup final - a left-footed strike from outside the area - sealed Italy's third star and his own place in infamy.

"After I scored, my whole life passed before me - the same feeling they say you have when you are about to die," Tardelli later said. "The joy of scoring in a World Cup final was immense, something I dreamed about as a kid, and my celebration was a release after realizing that dream. I was born with that scream inside me - that was just the moment it came out."