The Jabulani is literally a ball on the rise. The official ball of the World Cup has been compared to mortgage interest rates as it’s continuously on the up.
When the by now infamous beach-ball was launched by David Beckham earlier this year its makers promised it would redefine the art of free-kick taking.
True to all predictions, South Africa 2010 has seen a mammoth new development in free kicks: Japan apart, most footballers now find them impossible to score from, with many more hitting Row Z than the back of the net.
JOE is loving the World Cup but we’re craving a decent free-kick – even Japan’s pair needed a helping hand from statuesque Denmark keeper Thomas Sorensen – so we’ve decided to look at some of the greatest free kicks of all time.
10. Javier Zanetti (Argentina v England, 1998)
Gabriel Batistuta lines up to smash one goalward before Javier Zanetti pops out from behind the wall and takes a Juan Sebastian Veron pass before finishing in style.
9. John Arne Riise (Liverpool v Manchester United, 2001)
John Arne Riise’s free kicks have proved very damaging to Manchester United. One thunder bolt was blamed for breaking Alan Smith’s leg. This effort nearly smashed the crossbar on its way into the net. Blink and you’ll miss it.
8. Matthew Le Tissier (Southampton v Wimbledon)
Matt Le Tissier was lethal from set-pieces. He missed just one penalty in his entire career and registered some wonderful free-kicks. This effort was the most spectacular of a host of ‘Le God’s’ angelic attempts.
7. Garrincha (Brazil v Bulgaria, 1966)
The ‘Little Bird’ flew the ball into the top corner with this spectacular attempt. He strikes it with the outside of the boot moving the ball from left to right and from right to top corner.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United v Portsmouth, 2008)
Ronaldo sent the ball on a rollercoaster ride against Portsmouth in 2008. He didn’t just get it up and down, he ensured it swooped and dipped en route.
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5. Ronaldinho (Brazil v England, 2002)
Did he really mean it? We think he did so we love this free-kick for obvious reasons. The effort the English label a fluke and everyone else calls magnificent sent 10-man Brazil into the World Cup semi-final, and sent England home.
4. Ernie Hunt (Coventry v Everton, 1970)
In an era when free-kicks were less frill than Ryanair Coventry City produced an inspirational moment of magical flair. Willie Carr flicked the ball up with his heels and Ernie Hunt volleyed it into the right corner.
3. Teofilo Cubillas (Peru v Scotland, 1978)
Cubillas scored two crackers in one game to lower the colours of a Scottish side who fancied themselves as possible World Cup winners. This one was one of the most audacious free-kicks we’ve ever seen.
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2. David Beckham (England v Greece, 2001)
Beckham produced the goods when it mattered most to avert a Greek tragedy at Old Trafford.
1. Roberto Carlos (Brazil v France, 1997)
There are some who argue that this is the greatest goal ever scored. Roberto Carlos ignores the laws of physics to put the ball in the back of Fabien Barthez’s net. It wasn’t quite curved, swerved or bent – it was something never seen before.
It almost didn’t matter that he hardly scored another free-kick in his career, despite hundreds of attempts.
