Was this the best free kick ever?
It was pretty special, of that there is no doubt. The dipping, swerving, pacy free kick that Cristiano Ronaldo nailed last night against Portsmouth was right out of the top drawer. Watch it here if you don't believe us. Sir Alex Ferguson gushed afterwards that he thought it was the best he had ever seen?
But is Ronaldo the greatest free kick taker in Premier League history? Better than David Beckham? Thierry Henry? Or Gianfranco Zola? Let's put it to the test. Below are some dead ball delights from the players mentioned - watch them, drool over them and then vote in our poll below for your favourite exponent.
David Beckham
Thierry Henry
Gianfranco Zola
I have to agree with Fergie, when I watched it live in realtime I couldn't believe it, that's when it looks it's best. I nearly choked on my drink trying to expel the only expletive that came to mind -f**k! did you see that? my father said it looked like two different players kicked it - one up and one down again to make it go at the speed it did and then take the course it did. When you watch it in slow motion it doesn't have the same effect but what's more amazing maybe is trying to figure out just how he did it, which is certainly not obvious the first time round, or 2nd or 3rd. I don't know how he did it, the pundits and ex pros don't know how he did it, I can't wrap my head around how it's possible to get so much power behind and under a shot without putting high into the stands instead of making it dip down under the bar in a straight line. Plus David James one of the better goalkeepers around was beaten completeyl and summed it up perfectly when he simply shrugged his shoulders and admitted, pfh, lost for words. I don't think we will see too many like it soon or too many players able to do it, maybe ever?!....
Posted by: peter mcaviney | February 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
it was one kick! becks made how many?
Posted by: | February 01, 2008 at 12:58 AM
How is Ronaldo the best free kick taker in the Premier League? Fair enough he hit a cracker the other night; but that doesn't make him the best ever!
Surely the likes of Beckham, Le tissier, Henry and Gerrard have had a better success rate. As far as I'm aware Ronaldo has only scored 5 free kicks in the Premier League, personally I think Danny Murphy takes a better free kick!
Posted by: Jak | February 01, 2008 at 12:18 AM
On seeing the title I was going ot point out that Carlos v France was by some distance better.
However I see it's in the history of the PL.
It was very good, but I'd have to go with Zola.
Posted by: James Smith | February 01, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Wot ? No Gazza ?
April 1991 Tottenham vs Arsenal
FA Cup semi final @ Wembley
Posted by: Kev Somers | January 31, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Paul,
I'm a liverpool fan as well but there is no way that Gerrard's kick is even in the same class as this one. Check the pace on this one (while still getting it over the wall), Gerrard's kick was more of a Beckham type kick which went into the very top corner. If I recall correctly, the goalie actually managed to touch it.
Posted by: Dayle | January 31, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Does anyone remember me? I used to take some good free kicks in my day.
Posted by: Matt Le Tissier | January 31, 2008 at 06:01 PM
i don't think i'll ever see a better goal than the one roberto carlos scored in le tournoi. check it out on utube, it will still take your breath away
Posted by: NYCmid30s | January 31, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Sorry guys, but you seem to forget the free kick of a certain Roberto Carlos in Brasil v France at the "Tournoi de France"...find it here
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=W5XpXU8TBoo
Posted by: Francis | January 31, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Pah, Ronaldo's wasn't even the best free kick in the Premier League this season. That honour goes to Elano's free kick for Manchester City against Newcastle United. But I guess that doesn't count as it wasn't scored by one of the "big" four.
Posted by: Ric | January 31, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Now now, let's keep things in perspective here. The free-kick was good but it wasn't the best onc ever scored in the Premier League.
Posted by: Eazy E | January 31, 2008 at 04:23 PM
To those convinced that Ronaldo's free-kick was the best ever... Go to www.youtube.com and put in "Gazza Freekick Spurs Arsenal 1991 FA Cup Semi Final". I DARE you. You know what's there, you don't like to admit it, but THAT'S the title holder. But I'm a Darlington fan. What would I know...?
Posted by: James Robertson | January 31, 2008 at 03:04 PM
You forgot Irwin's at Liverpool... from speaking to other fellow reds most of us agree that it was best of all.
Posted by: robert walton | January 31, 2008 at 02:33 PM
i'm a united fan, and grudgingly i must admit that elano's freekick against newcastle earlier in the season just about matches ronaldo's thunderbolt last night.
Posted by: smaada | January 31, 2008 at 01:04 PM
It was a carbon copy of Gerrards free kick against Villa in the first game of the season! Whats all the fuss? Oh sorry I forgot, it was a Utd player therefore it must be the best ever. Get over yourselves.
Posted by: Paul | January 31, 2008 at 12:48 PM
What about RVP's freekick against Sunderland?
Posted by: Ben Parsonage | January 31, 2008 at 12:33 PM
What about the one Cristiano Ronaldo alluded to last night about being his best one? The one he took against the Europe XI last year?
(Canizares was in goal.)
Posted by: Lirpa Olof | January 31, 2008 at 08:34 AM