Some really fabulous freekicks found the back of the net in the 2026 world cup. Precision and great technique.Click Pic to see them.
However there is one kind of free kick that wasn’t seen even once at this world cup – the dead ball,knuckleball free kick.Once upon a time Cristiano had the ability to do it. . Sadly he seems to have forgotten how to do it these days.Click pic to see him score against Spain in the 2018 world cup
The last successful wielder of this technique was Andrea Pirlo, but the world is yet to see another Pirlo. Why is this high power, unpredictable and unstoppable freekick technique dying?
The reasons are many…. Modern ball technology is driven towards helping the goalkeepers and so the balls made are more predictable in the air .(A notable exception was the the Jabulani .It was made with witchcraft and was more suitable for quidditch than football ) But never again
The confidence of the freekick taker. “Either you smash one top bins, or you send it flying towards the moon” is what many say but they don’t try the knuckleball.
They have become more of “data followers” and stick to the reliable finesse or curl technique. The essence of this style of shooting, was last captured by Dominik Szoboszlai, in his freekick against Manchester City.
Can Szoboszlai revive this thrilling style of freekicking? Let us hope. Meanwhile we can all practice using the video below for tips (LP)