What is an Olimpico Goal?
Messi almost scored an Olimpico last week and my wife asked me what that was. I figured others might have the same question so I figured I’d write an article!
An Olimpico is a rare goal that happens when a player scores directly from a corner kick without touching any other player.
The term “Olimpico” comes from the Spanish word for “Olympic”, and it is believed to have originated from the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
During a match between Uruguay and Argentina, an Uruguayan player scored a goal from a corner kick, which was later named an “Olimpico goal” in honor of the Olympics.
How rare is it? Very.
In youth soccer, I’ve seen it happen a handful of times. Get this? Every Olimpic that I’ve seen happen by the same player. He’s a left-footed player who just curls into the goal.
Here’s Messi’s almost-Olimpico!
Incredible Olimpico Goals in the MLS
Here are some incredible Olimpico goals from MLS history. Enjoy!
Written By: Beau Bridges
Beau is the founder of SoccerNovo, dedicated to helping players and parents navigate the youth soccer landscape. As a former youth coach and soccer parent, he shares insights on player development, recruiting, and the ever-evolving soccer scene in the U.S.
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