Madrid, Spain — Football fans witnessed a moment destined to live in highlight reels forever, as a Celta Vigo attacker scored what is believed to be the first backheel penalty in professional football — and he pulled it off against Real Madrid inside the Santiago Bernabéu.
A Penalty That Broke All Rules of Expectation
The match had barely settled when the referee awarded a penalty. With Thibaut Courtois — one of the world’s most imposing keepers — waiting on the goal line, tension filled the stadium.
But instead of choosing a standard strike, a stutter-step, or a Panenka, the Celta striker stunned everyone by attempting the unthinkable:
a backheel shot from the penalty spot.
The ball zipped past Courtois before he could even react, leaving the Bernabéu frozen in disbelief.
La Liga Officials Allegedly Furious
According to reports around the league, match officials and delegates were left in shock at the sheer boldness of the attempt. Although the finish is completely within the rules, sources claim La Liga executives were “angered” by what they saw as unnecessary showboating and the uproar it caused on the pitch and online.
The strike carried the swagger of street football mixed with a Zlatan-like flair — executed under the brightest lights imaginable.
Real Madrid Stunned Into Silence
As the ball hit the back of the net, several Real Madrid players stood completely still, unsure what they had just witnessed. It felt surreal — as if the moment belonged to a friendly kickabout rather than a league fixture.
Even the Bernabéu crowd, known for its fierce reactions, could only stare in shock as Celta Vigo erupted into celebration over what may become one of the most memorable goals in La Liga history.
A Moment Etched Into Football Folklore
Backheel penalties are virtually nonexistent at the professional level — especially in a high-pressure setting, inside the Bernabéu, and against a goalkeeper of Courtois’ calibre.
Yet on this unforgettable night, a Celta Vigo player rewrote what was thought possible.
It was a bold, stunning, rule-defying moment — one that the football world will be talking about for years to come.
