Think that Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick against Juventus was the GOAT? Think again as here’s one from Zlatan and another to defeat the Nazis
‘El Gol’, ‘One for the history books’, ‘What planet are you from?’ — Just a few of the headlines after Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular volley against Juventus in midweek. If the media reaction taught us anything it is that the world of football loves a bicycle kick.
Ronaldo’s effort was a perfect example of the skill that has dazzled spectators since not long after the game arrived in South America. Almost every country lays some claim to its invention and while Boca Juniors legend Pedro Calomino is often credited in Argentina, Brazil have the prolific Leônidas.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C9STKF0Lv4[/fve]
Whichever came first, few likely struck the ball as sweetly as Ronaldo but here are six more unforgettable chilenas…
1) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
“It was a nice goal, but he should try it from 40 metres,” were the words of one man never shy to voice his opinion. Zlatan at least has the credentials to offer critique after his outrageous goal for Sweden against England in 2012.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM_5tJncHww[/fve]
2) Hugo Sánchez
Far from the first Real Madrid star to score a bicycle kick, for Mexican striker and Los Blancos icon Hugo Sánchez it was a trademark. Among Real’s leading ever goalscorers with 208 goals, Sánchez scored this acrobatic effort against Logroñés in 1988.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAHrrnj52-k[/fve]
3) Enzo Francescoli
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was unwilling to heap too much praise on Ronaldo but when asked this week if he had seen better, El Cholo was quick to point to answer: “Yes I have, Francescoli in River-Poland, 1986. Check it out. Tremendous.”
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnmJ_bhWBeE[/fve]
4) Rivaldo
When you’ve already scored two brilliant goals but your side still need another for victory there must be few more satisfying ways to complete your hat-trick than a bicycle kick from the edge of the box. Rivaldo’s winner against Valencia two minutes from time in the 2000-01 season handed Barcelona Champions League football at the expense of their opponents.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is6ZLTe2CLw[/fve]
5) Oscarine Masuluke
Who? Admittedly not a superstar like the others listed here but Baroka FC goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke’s 96th minute equaliser against Orlando Pirates was only pipped to the FIFA Puskas award by Olivier Giroud last year.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNWL3M2fDRU[/fve]
6) Pelé
And while all those brilliant volleys are right up there with Cristiano’s, none helped a group of World War II prisoners escape like Pelé did. Ok, it was in 1981 movie Escape to Victory, starring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone, but no one can doubt the quality of Bobby Moore’s cross and the Brazilian hero’s strike.
[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erQdTUdeABI[/fve]
