The best goal of the international matches this weekend wasn’t scored by Rooney or Ronaldo or any other superstar, but by unknown youngster Liam Kelly. Playing for the Irish U19 side against Sweden, the Reading midfielder scored from the halfway line with a Beckham-esque strike.
Annoyingly for Kelly, the ball had just crossed the halfway line before he struck it, so he can’t claim to have scored from his own half, but it was still a hell of a goal.
The goal inevitably drew comparisons with David Beckham’s wonder goal against Wimbledon that catapulted him to super stardom. Kelly’s manager said: “The goal was absolutely unbelievable and I instantly thought of David Beckham.”
It looks like Reading may have a real star in the making. Kelly has form for scoring spectacular goals. He hit a cheeky free kick for Reading U18s earlier this year. The ball is rolled back to him, he chips it up and volleys it into the top corner. One of Matt Le Tissier’s favourite tricks.
Kelly certainly has the right role models if he wants to be an entertainer. We want a Van Basten style volley next please Liam.