10. Mario Balotelli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENdin59iecAudacity wasn't aware of its true potential until it met Mario Balotelli. The mercurial striker emanates impudence; it sweats from his pores. Smell that? It's eau d'acity. The goal against Norwich epitomised his unflinching self-confidence. He didn't even think about it, the finish was so obvious. Why would you use your head when you've got a perfectly good shoulder? Luckily for Mario the ball didn't bounce off his ego and out for a goal-kick, but he still loses points for refusing to smile. It's okay to be cool and happy, Mario.
9. Jamie Pollock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAc8JooS3MYWhat could be more audacious than cockily flicking the ball over an opponent, then nonchalantly heading into the goal over the on-rushing 'keeper? Well, scoring such a goal in your own net for a start. But that shows the true quality of the man - when Pollock spied the opportunity for a wonder-goal, he didn't let anything stand in his way. Not even common sense. A quite magnificent finish and a display of real guts to do it in front of the City faithful at Maine Road.
8. Robin Friday
If you're not aware of who Robin Friday is, the fact that the Super Furry Animals dedicated their single 'The Man Don't Give A F*ck' to his memory should tell you a little bit about his character. Friday was a wonderful footballer, whose ability was sadly abated by his fondness for a rock 'n' roll lifestyle. According to his former teammate, Paul Went, after each match Friday would "just get dressed, take his carrier-bag with his dry martini and go - no explanation". The squad wouldn't see him again until the next game.
The moment that defined his career occurred when Friday was playing for Cardiff City against Luton. After a high tackle on the Luton goalkeeper, Milija Aleksic, Friday offered out a hand to apologise. Aleksic refused the gesture, but when the free-kick was taken the striker robbed the ball, rounded the 'keeper, and tapped into the net. To make things worse for the fuming Aleksic, Friday celebrated by giving him a two-fingered salute. He truly was a maverick.
7. Matty Burrows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzAZTdyOXcAIt's not often Glentoran have a player nominated for FIFA's Puskas Award, but Burrows achieved international acclaim for his back-heeled volley in an Irish League match against Portadown. What made the goal even more enjoyable was that it came in injury time and won the game for the Glens. Unfortunately for Burrows, the judges didn't deem his fabulous flick to be as easy on the eye as Hamit Altintop's rather ordinary screamer for Turkey. But what do FIFA know, eh?
6. Andrés Vásquez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltEaUSTiIZQI once tried a rabona. I missed a year of school with a ruptured spleen - that's why I don't know how to write. Anyway, not only can Andrés Vásquez pull off a mean rabona, but he can also do it to score one of the most remarkable goals you'll ever see. It takes some chutzpah to attempt an effort like this, knowing you face the wrath of your manager and endless ridicule if it goes wrong. Vasquez's effrontery was rewarded though, and the former IFK Göteborg winger will go down in Swedish folklore as the man who dared to dream.
5. Mike Hanke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyedTxu5DYQTalk about being the Butt of a joke. When penalty-taking goalkeeper Hans-Jorg converted a spot-kick for Leverkusen against Schalke he strutted back to his penalty area revelling in his teammates' congratulations. Mike Hanke was having none of it though, and the insolent Schalke striker launched a lob straight over the unsuspecting goalkeeper into the Leverkusen net. Everything about this video is wonderful - Butt basking in the glory of his penalty, Hanke's eagerness, the disbelief on the goalkeeper's face when he sees the ball go in and the way Lucio and Carsten Ramelow can't help but laugh.
4. Clarence Seedorf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRFnsRPOQu8Lobbing the goalkeeper from just inside the opponents' half is certainly audacious, but it's nothing compared to the thunderbolt Seedorf produced. What was going through his head, we may never know. But after shifting the ball nicely out of his feet, the Dutch maestro can clearly be seen mouthing "screw it" as he unleashes a thriker. To add to the brilliance of this goal, it came in a Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bing, bang, stick it in. Thank you and good night.
3. Johan Cruyff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJHN1mN5SCgWhile most footballers spend their free time partying, playing on their SNES/Mega Drives or chattering away about how #DECENT Portuguese peri-peri chicken is, Johan Cruyff used to sit up all night reading the rules of the game. This wasn't because he wanted to gain an advantage over his opponents; it was more to facilitate his brazen cheek. When Cruyff played a one-two from his penalty for Ajax it worked a treat, with the goalkeeper completely outfoxed by the shenanigans. Although imitation is supposedly the sincerest form of flattery, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry's copycat attempt for Arsenal was rather insulting.
2. Frank Worthington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0z_arXZ8nMMy dad once told me that Worthington used to show-off at half-time by juggling a tennis ball on the pitch. Indeed, the former England international wasn't short of confidence and his goal for Bolton against Ipswich in 1979 is one of the cockiest you'll ever see. After collecting a hopeful flick-on, Worthington juggles the ball on the edge of the area, before knocking it over his head, turning, and volleying into the bottom corner. It's an incredible piece of skill and the defenders' shock as they realise the striker has embarrassed them is a joy to behold.
If you ever get the chance, watch the 'Come Dine With Me' episode involving Worthington, Neil Ruddock, Carlton Palmer and John Fashanu - it's quite exceptional television.
1. Panenka:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp2HZNheCZ8Czechoslovakia's winning penalty in the 1976 European Championship final was the most audacious goal of all time. After placing the ball on the spot, Panenka ran towards it as though the force of Seedorf was in his foot, but at the last moment he checked the power and delicately chipped the ball into the net. He must have balls of seriously hard igneous rock.
When a goal starts a craze - as Panenka's did - you know it was pretty special. Francesco Totti, Zinedine Zidane; many have copied the great man, but nothing beats being the first.
http://www.football365.com/topical-top-10/7466474/Football365-s-Top-Ten-Audacious-Goals
