Ayoub El Kaabi Clinches Goal of the Season in 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League
The 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League season will be remembered for many things, but none more spectacular than the goals that left fans worldwide in awe. Ayoub El Kaabi's strike against Maccabi Tel Aviv was a moment of sheer brilliance that has earned it the prestigious title of Goal of the Season.
A Moment of Magic
It was the Round of 16, second leg on March 14, 2024. Olympiacos was up against Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Ayoub El Kaabi took center stage. Cutting through the defense with agility and precision, he unleashed a shot that flew past the goalkeeper into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted as fans witnessed a piece of football artistry that will be remembered for years to come.
UEFA's Technical Observer Panel had the enviable task of sifting through a multitude of magnificent goals from the season. El Kaabi's strike, however, stood out for its technical excellence and flawless execution, earning him the top spot in their selection.
Honoring the Best Goals
Coming in second was Lucas Beltrán of Fiorentina, whose spectacular finish against Čukarički in Matchday 3 on October 26, 2023, showcased his attacking prowess. In third place was Fares Chaibi from Eintracht Frankfurt, whose goal against HJK in Matchday 4 on November 9, 2023, took the breath away of spectators and pundits alike.
The top ten goals of the season, as selected by the Technical Observer Panel, encompass a range of incredible feats. From blistering long-range shots to mesmerizing solo runs, each goal tells its own story of exceptional skill and unforgettable moments.
The Complete Top Ten List
Here are the top ten goals of the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 season:
- Ayoub El Kaabi (Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-6 Olympiacos)
- Lucas Beltrán (Fiorentina 6-0 Čukarički)
- Fares Chaibi (HJK 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Riccardo Sottil (Fiorentina 3-2 Club Brugge)
- Yvann Macon (Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-2 Breidablik)
- Albert Grønbæk (Ajax 2-2 Bodø/Glimt)
- Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge 3-0 Molde)
- Jakub Piotrowski (Ludogorets 2-0 Fenerbahçe)
- Josué (Molde 3-2 Legia)
- Blaž Kramer (Zrinjski 1-2 Legia)
El Kaabi's Journey and Legacy
Ayoub El Kaabi's football journey is an inspiring tale of perseverance and hard work. From his earlier days to the current heights of his career, he has always been a player to watch. His goal against Maccabi Tel Aviv is not just a recognition of his skill, but also a testament to his journey as a footballer.
As the world of football continues to evolve, fans can expect more magical moments like these. The UEFA Europa Conference League has provided a platform for players to showcase their talents on a grand stage, and the 2023/24 season was no different.
The beauty of football lies in its unpredictability and the sheer joy it brings to millions around the world. Goals like El Kaabi's remind us why we love the game and why it continues to be the most popular sport globally.
Future Stars in the Making
The UEFA Europa Conference League, though still in its infancy, has already provided a treasure trove of memorable moments. Young talents and seasoned professionals alike have graced the pitch, leaving lasting impressions on fans and shaping the future of football.
The recognition of these goals is also a nod to the hard work and dedication of coaching staff, teammates, and everyone involved in the sport. Football is a team effort, and while individual brilliance shines through, it is the collaborative spirit that truly drives success.
In honoring these goals, we celebrate the beauty of the game, the passion of the players, and the unforgettable experiences they create for fans. Here's to more iconic moments in the seasons to come, and to the players who remind us of why we fell in love with football in the first place.
This goal was overhyped. Anyone with half a brain knows the defense was asleep and the goalkeeper looked like he was on vacation. This isn't artistry-it's opportunism dressed up as genius. UEFA needs to stop handing out awards like candy to players from obscure leagues just because they scored against a team that doesn't know how to defend.
Real football is played in the Champions League, not this third-tier circus. Stop glorifying mediocrity.
How poetic. A man, a moment, a ball kissed by destiny into the top corner-while the rest of us are stuck in cubicles wondering if our lives have meaning.
El Kaabi didn’t just score a goal; he unlocked the door to a higher plane of existence. The rest of us? We’re just breathing air and paying taxes. Thank you, Ayoub, for reminding us that beauty still exists-in football, in silence, in the space between heartbeats.
Let’s be real-this goal was incredible, but let’s not ignore the context. Olympiacos were already up 4-0. The defense relaxed. The keeper didn’t even move. That’s not genius-that’s fatigue. Give the guy credit for finishing, sure, but don’t turn it into a myth.
Meanwhile, Sottil’s goal against Brugge? That was pressure. That was skill under fire. That’s the kind of goal that defines a player’s legacy. This? It’s a highlight reel filler.
El Kaabi’s goal? 🤡
Meanwhile, Beltrán’s finish? 🤯
Chaibi? 🌪️
And you’re telling me THIS is Goal of the Season? 😭
UEFA’s technical panel must’ve been high on samosas. I’ve seen better goals in a pub match in Delhi. Someone check the voting records-was this a popularity contest? 🤔
Okay but can we talk about how EL KAABI just turned a football match into a cinematic experience? That moment when the ball left his foot and the entire stadium froze? I swear I cried. Not because I’m a fan-I don’t even follow Olympiacos-but because it felt like the universe paused to admire something perfect.
And don’t even get me started on the way his body moved-like a dancer, but with more power. This isn’t just a goal. It’s a love letter to football. 💖
Also, Sottil’s goal? Chef’s kiss. But El Kaabi? That’s the whole damn menu.
It’s worth noting, however, that while El Kaabi’s goal was undeniably impressive, the technical panel’s selection criteria may have been influenced by the dramatic nature of the moment, rather than purely objective metrics such as difficulty, pressure, or defensive quality-though, of course, all of these factors are subjective, and that’s why these debates are so fascinating, don’t you think?
El Kaabi? Please. He scored one goal in a 6-1 win against a team that didn’t even try. Meanwhile, Jakub Piotrowski scored against Fenerbahçe-on the road, in a packed stadium, with defenders clinging to him like glue-and you give the award to a guy who got a free shot because the defense took a nap?
UEFA’s panel is a joke. This isn’t football. It’s a TikTok algorithm with a badge.
Let me break this down simply: El Kaabi’s goal was technically flawless-angle, power, placement, timing. But what makes it special isn’t just the execution-it’s the context. He was under pressure to deliver after a slow start to the campaign. He carried the team through the group stage. That goal wasn’t just a finish-it was a statement.
And yes, Beltrán’s goal was stunning, but it came in a 6-0 win. Sottil’s was clutch, but it was a counter. El Kaabi’s was the culmination of a player’s journey-raw, unfiltered, and pure. That’s why it won.
Football’s not just about stats. It’s about moments that make you stand up and forget to breathe. That was one of them.
I just watched the goal again. And again. And again. I don’t care who else was on the list. That’s the kind of moment you show your kids when they ask why you love football.
Thank you, Ayoub. For reminding us what magic looks like.