Top 10 Most Iconic Football Celebrations

Roger Milla's hip-swaying dance around the corner flag at the 1990 World Cup became the defining image of that tournament. At 38 years old — called out of retirement by Cameroon's president — he scored four goals and danced at the corner flag after each one, generating footage that was broadcast on every major network worldwide. His performances helped Cameroon reach the quarterfinals — still the furthest any African nation had gone. Milla became the oldest scorer in World Cup history in 1994 at 42, dancing once more.

Robbie Fowler's celebration after scoring for Liverpool against Everton in the 1999 Merseyside derby — in which he appeared to sniff the white touchline paint — was his mocking response to press speculation about drug use. The FA charged him for the gesture. The satirical intelligence of the celebration, and the fact that Fowler was retaliating against a media narrative he found unjust, made it one of the most discussed football moments of the decade. He received a four-match ban. He later said it was "the best £32,000 I ever spent."

Peter Crouch's robot dance after scoring his first goal for England against Jamaica in a 2006 friendly — a 6ft 7in striker doing the robot — became one of the most shared football images of the pre-social-media era. He performed it again at the 2006 World Cup, making headlines globally. The self-aware, absurdist humour of a giant centre-forward doing a mechanical robot dance captured something essential about English football's relationship with its own ridiculousness.

Eric Cantona's post-goal celebration — standing perfectly still with his collar up, arms slightly spread, chest out, absorbing the noise of Old Trafford like a king receiving tribute — was never planned or performed for cameras. It emerged naturally and became one of football's most iconic images. It encapsulated Cantona's supreme confidence and the near-religious status he had achieved at Manchester United. The image of Cantona after scoring against Manchester City in 1996 is one of the most reproduced in Premier League history.

Jurgen Klinsmann arrived at Tottenham in 1994 with a reputation as a diver. On his debut against Sheffield Wednesday he scored, then dived theatrically along the Spurs turf — mocking the narrative before his critics could use it. His teammates piled on top in a rehearsed team dive. It was football's most brilliantly self-aware celebration to that point, and it won over an English public immediately. Klinsmann won the Footballer of the Year that season. The celebration is studied in sports psychology as a masterclass in narrative reframing.

Cristiano Ronaldo's "SIUUU" celebration — a jump, spin, chest-puff landing and primal scream — originated at a Real Madrid pre-season in 2013 when teammates celebrated his arrival. It has since become the most replicated individual footballer celebration in history, performed by children in school playgrounds on every continent. It was registered as a trademark in 2024. Ronaldo performs it after goals for club and country regardless of context, making it simultaneously personal and universal — arguably the most recognisable sporting celebration of the 21st century.

Marco Tardelli's goal celebration in the 1982 World Cup Final against West Germany — sprinting away with his fists clenched, screaming, tears streaming down his face — is considered the greatest expression of pure sporting emotion ever captured on film. Italy won 3–1. The image of Tardelli's face at that moment has been reproduced in galleries, books, and documentaries as a definition of what it means to score in a World Cup Final. It has its own Wikipedia entry as "Il Urlo di Tardelli" — the scream.

Paul Gascoigne's "Dentist Chair" celebration after scoring against Scotland at Euro 96 — lying back with teammates pouring water into his mouth, recreating a controversial pre-tournament photo — was both a provocation and a self-parody. It was performed at Wembley with 76,000 fans present and broadcast to 100 million across Europe. The goal itself — a Cruyff turn and volley — was exquisite. Gascoigne at Euro 96 was England's last transcendent tournament moment and that celebration its most vivid image.

Lionel Messi's free-kick winner for Argentina against Ecuador in Copa América 2021 qualifying — followed by shirt removal, arms wide, screaming into the Estadio Monumental crowd — captured the accumulated emotion of a career without international silverware. It came after years of near-misses at Copa América and World Cup level. Argentina went on to win Copa América 2021, ending Messi's 28-year wait for an international title. The image of Messi shirtless with arms spread became the defining image of his international redemption arc.

Roger Milla's hip-swaying dance around the corner flag at the 1990 World Cup became the defining image of that tournament. At 38 years old — called out of retirement by Cameroon's president — he scored four goals and danced at the corner flag after each one, generating footage that was broadcast on every major network worldwide. His performances helped Cameroon reach the quarterfinals — still the furthest any African nation had gone. Milla became the oldest scorer in World Cup history in 1994 at 42, dancing once more.

Robbie Fowler's celebration after scoring for Liverpool against Everton in the 1999 Merseyside derby — in which he appeared to sniff the white touchline paint — was his mocking response to press speculation about drug use. The FA charged him for the gesture. The satirical intelligence of the celebration, and the fact that Fowler was retaliating against a media narrative he found unjust, made it one of the most discussed football moments of the decade. He received a four-match ban. He later said it was "the best £32,000 I ever spent."

Peter Crouch's robot dance after scoring his first goal for England against Jamaica in a 2006 friendly — a 6ft 7in striker doing the robot — became one of the most shared football images of the pre-social-media era. He performed it again at the 2006 World Cup, making headlines globally. The self-aware, absurdist humour of a giant centre-forward doing a mechanical robot dance captured something essential about English football's relationship with its own ridiculousness.

Eric Cantona's post-goal celebration — standing perfectly still with his collar up, arms slightly spread, chest out, absorbing the noise of Old Trafford like a king receiving tribute — was never planned or performed for cameras. It emerged naturally and became one of football's most iconic images. It encapsulated Cantona's supreme confidence and the near-religious status he had achieved at Manchester United. The image of Cantona after scoring against Manchester City in 1996 is one of the most reproduced in Premier League history.

Jurgen Klinsmann arrived at Tottenham in 1994 with a reputation as a diver. On his debut against Sheffield Wednesday he scored, then dived theatrically along the Spurs turf — mocking the narrative before his critics could use it. His teammates piled on top in a rehearsed team dive. It was football's most brilliantly self-aware celebration to that point, and it won over an English public immediately. Klinsmann won the Footballer of the Year that season. The celebration is studied in sports psychology as a masterclass in narrative reframing.

Cristiano Ronaldo's "SIUUU" celebration — a jump, spin, chest-puff landing and primal scream — originated at a Real Madrid pre-season in 2013 when teammates celebrated his arrival. It has since become the most replicated individual footballer celebration in history, performed by children in school playgrounds on every continent. It was registered as a trademark in 2024. Ronaldo performs it after goals for club and country regardless of context, making it simultaneously personal and universal — arguably the most recognisable sporting celebration of the 21st century.

Marco Tardelli's goal celebration in the 1982 World Cup Final against West Germany — sprinting away with his fists clenched, screaming, tears streaming down his face — is considered the greatest expression of pure sporting emotion ever captured on film. Italy won 3–1. The image of Tardelli's face at that moment has been reproduced in galleries, books, and documentaries as a definition of what it means to score in a World Cup Final. It has its own Wikipedia entry as "Il Urlo di Tardelli" — the scream.

Paul Gascoigne's "Dentist Chair" celebration after scoring against Scotland at Euro 96 — lying back with teammates pouring water into his mouth, recreating a controversial pre-tournament photo — was both a provocation and a self-parody. It was performed at Wembley with 76,000 fans present and broadcast to 100 million across Europe. The goal itself — a Cruyff turn and volley — was exquisite. Gascoigne at Euro 96 was England's last transcendent tournament moment and that celebration its most vivid image.

Lionel Messi's free-kick winner for Argentina against Ecuador in Copa América 2021 qualifying — followed by shirt removal, arms wide, screaming into the Estadio Monumental crowd — captured the accumulated emotion of a career without international silverware. It came after years of near-misses at Copa América and World Cup level. Argentina went on to win Copa América 2021, ending Messi's 28-year wait for an international title. The image of Messi shirtless with arms spread became the defining image of his international redemption arc.