The evolution of freekick techniques: From power free-kicks to the Mukaiten

Roberto Carlos’ banana shot

Roberto Carlos did not score from as many freekicks as the others on this list, but he was catapulted to “freekick legend” territory on the basis of his banana kick against France in 1997.

His favoured technique was to take a long run-up and hit the ball using the outside of the boot, thereby imparting side-spin on the ball. At high speeds, almost 130 kph, the side-spin would act on the ball’s trajectory, swinging late and viciously, thereby taking the goalkeeper by surprise.