Soccer is evolving on a regular basis, from new tactical concepts and formations to improvements in coaching, health and food regimen, using knowledge in participant recruitment and extra.
And through the years, gamers have sought to create new strikes, excellent older ones and discover nearly any method they’ll to achieve a bonus on the pitch.
Some footballers have even been identified for a particular fashion, ability or trick, which they’ve both developed themselves or borrowed from others and made their very own.
From the Cruyff flip to the Panenka penalty, here’s a have a look at among the footballers who had a signature transfer…
32. Yannick Bolasie
Yannick Bolasie on the ball for Crystal Palace in opposition to West Brom in October 2015. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
In a sport in opposition to Tottenham at White Hart Lane in 2014, Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie produced a rare piece of ability to beat Christian Eriksen near the nook flag and arrange an opportunity for the Eagles.
A fast flip with a flick included for good measure, Bolasie rolled the ball ahead, then dragged it again, earlier than flicking it in opposition to his standing foot to maneuver previous his opponent and into area. Requested by Palace TV what it must be known as, he saved it easy. “The Bolasie flick.”
31. Carlo Parola
Juventus captain Carlo Parola (proper) forward of a match in 1948. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Carlo Parola performed as a defender or defensive midfielder for Juventus and briefly for Lazio within the Nineteen Forties and Fifties, successful 10 caps for Italy and that includes within the 1950 World Cup.
A ahead in his youth, Parola additionally had a penchant for acrobatic and spectacular objectives and popularised the bicycle kick in Italy, incomes the nickname Signor Rovesciata (“Mr. Overhead Kick”).
30. Gaizka Mendieta
Gaizka Mendieta scores the successful penalty for Spain in opposition to the Republic of Eire on the 2002 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
One of many best midfielders of his era and a scorer of spectacular objectives, Gaizka Mendieta additionally possessed a novel penalty approach.
Mendieta would watch for the goalkeeper to commit, fixing his eyes on the opponent and never the ball. It practically all the time labored, with 32 of his 34 profession penalties scored. Sadly for Spain, he had already been substituted within the Euro 2000 quarter-final in opposition to France and Raúl went on to overlook a decisive penalty which might have levelled the scores at 2-2.
29. Aiden McGeady
Aiden McGeady on the ball for Celtic in opposition to Villarreal within the Champions League in December 2008. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Aiden McGeady all the time had a bag of methods up his sleeve and the previous Republic of Eire worldwide was a fan favorite at Celtic, the place he remodeled 250 appearances and featured in 4 Scottish Premier League title wins.
The winger’s trademark was the McGeady spin, which was a variation of the Marseille flip, used to beat an opponent in a decent area as he dragged the ball again a technique after which set off in a special course. It was featured in EA Sports activities’ FIFA online game sequence.
28. Rodrigo Taddei
Rodrigo Taddei in motion for Roma in opposition to Inter in Might 2006. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Rodrigo Taddei spent 9 years at Roma between 2005 and 2014 and the Brazilian helped the Giallorossi win the Coppa Italia twice in that point.
A flexible participant who may function as a full-back or on the wing, Taddei was additionally identified for a trick which might see him drag the ball behind his standing leg with the within of his proper foot, earlier than bringing it again throughout and in entrance of his physique in the other way with the skin of his boot. It grew to become often known as the “Aurelio”, in honour of Roma’s assistant supervisor Aurelio Andreazzoli, who had inspired Taddei to take his coaching floor transfer to the pitch.
27. Érik Lamela
Tottenham’s Erik Lamela crosses the ball with a rabona in opposition to Norwich Metropolis within the FA Cup in March 2020. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Érik Lamela’s strike in opposition to Arsenal in November 2021 was named Premier League Purpose of the Season and later went on to win the FIFA Puskás Award.
The Argentine scored with a rabona, putting the ball along with his kicking leg wrapped behind their different leg. The midfielder additionally scored a rabona for Spurs in opposition to Astreras within the Europa league at White Hart Lane again in 2014 and bought one other again in his youth days at River Plate utilizing the approach. Something to keep away from utilizing his proper foot…
26. Robinho
Brazil’s Robinho goes previous Chile’s Rodrigo Araya on the 2006 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Robinho might not have fairly lived as much as his monumental early potential, however the winger performed for among the world’s greatest golf equipment – together with Actual Madrid, AC Milan, Santos and Manchester Metropolis – and gained 100 caps for Brazil.
His signature transfer was the stepover (or pedalada in Portuguese), which he typically used to devastating impact to arrange or rating objectives for membership or nation.
25. Pat Jennings
Pat jennings at Tottenham after signing from Watford in 1964. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Pat Jennings had large arms and used them to nice impact, turning into one of many best goalkeepers in historical past and a vastly well-liked participant with each Tottenham and Arsenal in an extended profession.
Jennings, who additionally performed on the 1982 and 1986 World Cups for Northern Eire, had the distinctive capacity of having the ability to catch the ball with one hand and infrequently showcased that ability for membership and nation.
24. Rory Delap
Stoke Metropolis’s Rory Delap prepares to launch his lengthy throw in a sport in opposition to Hull Metropolis. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Rory Delap was a javelin champion in his youth and the midfielder’s spectacular lengthy throws grew to become an vital attacking weapon for Stoke Metropolis between 2008 and 2011.
Delap’s lengthy throw averaged 38 metres and arrange an unbelievable 24 objectives within the 2008/09 and 2009/10 Premier League seasons. Though greatest remembered for his time at Stoke and people throw-ins, the midfielder additionally remodeled 150 appearances for Southampton and gained 11 caps for the Republic of Eire.
23. Andrés Iniesta
A younger Andres Iniesta on the ball for Barcelona in opposition to Mallorca in February 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Probably the most elegant midfielders of his era, Andrés Iniesta in full movement was a pleasure to behold.
The previous Barcelona midfielder typically appeared to glide previous opponents and used La Croqueta (“The Croquette”) to nice impact, shifting the ball shortly from one foot to a different in a dribbling transfer. La Croqueta was made well-known by one other former Barça midfielder, Michael Laudrup, however introduced into the fashionable period by Iniesta.
22. Romário
Romario in motion for Brazil in opposition to Sweden on the 1994 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Romário scored all types of objectives in a formidable profession, together with some particular lobs and numerous toe-poke efforts.
However the 1994 World Cup winner additionally had a signature transfer: an elastic flip which he would use to trick defenders into considering he was going a technique, solely to maintain the ball glued to his toes and glide previous them on the opposite facet. His opener within the 5-0 win for Barcelona in opposition to Actual Madrid within the 1993/94 season is a good instance of the ability.
21. Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sanchez in motion for Actual Madrid in 1989. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Hugo Sánchez is taken into account by many to be the best Mexican footballer in historical past and the previous Actual Madrid striker completed as high scorer in La Liga on a minimum of 5 events between 1985 and 1990.
Identified for his acrobatic purpose celebrations, Sánchez additionally specialised in overhead kicks, crediting his flexibility and athleticism to hours spent within the backyard as a teenager along with his sister, a gymnast who represented Mexico on the 1976 Olympics.
20. Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti celebrates after scoring for Roma in opposition to Inter in October 2005. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Francesco Totti scored over 300 objectives in an incredible profession spent totally at Roma and amongst these have been some actually particular strikes.
However his trademark was a chip over the goalkeeper, which is thought in Italian as a cucchiaio (“spoon”). These included memorable efforts in opposition to Inter, Parma and in a 5-1 derby win over Lazio. The World Cup winner’s autobiography was even entitled Tutto Totti: Mo je faccio er cucchiaio (I am Going to Chip Him).
19. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo in motion for Actual Madrid in opposition to Espanyol in January 2015. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 900 objectives in an unbelievable profession with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Actual Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr and Portugal.
To create a capturing alternative or to alter course on the run, the Portuguese celebrity typically makes use of a transfer often known as the Ronaldo chop, which sees him shortly chop his legs in a scissor movement, whereas shifting the ball into area with the within of his foot in the identical movement. Easy, however extraordinarily efficient.
18. Garrincha
Garrincha in motion for Brazil in opposition to Wales on the 1958 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Garrincha is broadly thought of one of many best dribblers of all time and it’s a actual disgrace there may be solely restricted footage of the sensible Brazilian winger in motion.
The Botafogo legend grew up with bow legs and learnt his soccer on a sloped pitch. Amongst his array of expertise was a formidable flip, just like those used later by Diego Maradona and Zinédine Zidane. He was additionally identified for a comical transfer the place he would taunt the defender, pretending to go previous his opponent however leaving the ball the place it was, typically repeating this a number of occasions to confuse his rivals and easily to amuse himself.
17. Jay-Jay Okocha
Jay-Jay Okocha on the ball for Nigeria in opposition to Spain on the 1998 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
One in every of best African gamers of all time, Jay-Jay Okocha helped Nigeria win an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and gained over 70 caps for the Tremendous Eagles.
The previous Bolton Wanderers and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was an outstanding dribble and his signature transfer would see him roll the ball a technique with the only of 1 foot after which carry out a stepover to wrong-foot his opponent, solely to comply with the trajectory of the ball. The Okocha stepover usually left his markers bamboozled, creating area for a cross or a shot.
16. Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma celebrates a purpose for Porto in opposition to Besiktas in December 2007. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Ricardo Quaresma’s profession maybe didn’t reside as much as its early potential, however the Portuguese winger performed for some large golf equipment, was a Euro 2016 winner with Portugal and retired with a showreel of spectacular strikes.
Quaresma’s speciality was the trivela, a depraved curling strike of the ball with the skin of his left foot. All through his profession, many discovered their method into the highest nook. Maybe the very best of all of them got here for Portugal in opposition to Belgium in 2007, however there are many others to select from.
15. Neymar
Athletic Membership gamers rage at Neymar after the Barcelona ahead’s tried rainbow flick within the 2015 Copa del Rey last at Camp Nou. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Neymar’s rainbow flick is a rare piece of ability and arguably simply as legitimate a option to beat an opponent as another, however rival gamers do not prefer it and the transfer normally find yourself within the Brazilian being fouled.
The previous Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ahead has tried the transfer on a variety of events through the years, with various levels of success, and famously upset Athletic Membership gamers by attempting one within the 2015 Copa del Rey last at Camp Nou. Often known as a lambreta in Brazil and a lambretta in Italy, the transfer is usually known as an Ardiles flick after Argentine Osvaldo Ardiles’ trick within the movie Escape to Victory .
14. Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring a trademark purpose for Bayern Munich in opposition to Arsenal in February 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Arjen Robben scored the identical purpose on quite a few events all through his profession.
The previous Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Actual Madrid ahead cherished to choose up the ball on the fitting, minimize inside to create area after which curl a shot into the nook along with his left foot. Anticipated, maybe, however nonetheless satisfying.
13. Ronaldinho
Barcelona’s Ronaldinho runs with the ball in a pleasant in opposition to Kashima Antlers in August 2004. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
The most effective dribblers in soccer historical past, Ronaldinho was a pleasure to observe in full flight throughout his peak years.
The sensible Brazilian had loads of methods, however was greatest identified for his Elástico , which might see him drag the ball a technique with the skin of his foot after which shortly shift it again within the different course. The transfer, also referred to as the “flip-flap”, was beforehand utilized by compatriot Rivellino and created by Corinthians’ Sérgio Echigo within the Sixties.
12. Michael Laudrup
Barcelona’s Michael Laudrup evades a problem from Sampdoria’s Moreno Mannini within the 1992 European Cup last. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Probably the most elegant midfield playmakers of the Eighties and Nineties, Michael Laudrup had memorable spells at Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona and Actual Madrid.
The Dane popularised a dribbling transfer identified in Spain as La Croqueta (“The Croquette”), the place he would shortly shift the ball from one foot to a different to be able to go previous an opponent. The transfer was later used ceaselessly by a good larger Barcelona legend: Andrés Iniesta.
11. Ronaldo
Ronaldo celebrates a purpose for Brazil in opposition to Bolivia on the 1997 Copa America. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Ronaldo’s profession was interrupted by accidents, however the sensible Brazilian ahead remains to be broadly thought of one of many most interesting footballers of all time.
An outstanding dribbler and a prolific scorer, Ronaldo mastered a number of expertise, together with the Elástico . However his signature transfer was certainly the stepover, which left defenders dizzied as he created area for a scoring likelihood or a cross. He virtually all the time went left, however confronted along with his dancing toes, defenders may by no means appear to cease him.
10. Zinédine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane on the ball for France in opposition to South Africa on the 1998 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
The Marseille flip was popularised by French striker Yves Mariot and later realized on the streets of town itself by a younger Zinédine Zidane.
Variations of the flip have been utilized by the likes of Garrincha and Diego Maradona, however Zidane’s model was barely completely different, as he generally used the within of his foot as an alternative of his sole to pull the ball again within the transfer’s first part. The Frenchman turned it into an artwork type and the transfer has typically been known as the Zidane flip.
9. Jean-Pierre Papin
Jean-Pierre Papin celebrates a purpose for France in opposition to Belgium in 1992. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Jean-Pierre Papin performed for France throughout a tough interval for Les Bleus, however the former Marseille and AC Milan striker is likely one of the nation’s all-time greats.
A four-time French champion with Marseille, Papin scored over 350 profession objectives and gained a Champions League title with Milan. He additionally took dwelling the Ballon d’Or in 1991 and his penchant for acrobatic volleys grew to become his trademark. These particular strikes even had a reputation, Papinade , born after a beautiful effort for Marseille in opposition to Niort in 1988. His sensible bicycle kick in opposition to Belgium in 1992 is maybe probably the most well-known instance.
8. Mesut Özil
Mesut Ozil scores for Arsenal in opposition to Liverpool in December 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
It may not look a lot at first look, however Mesut Özil’s chop or bounce shot was a intelligent approach which allowed the previous Germany nice to beat many a goalkeeper throughout his spectacular profession with the likes of Werder Bremen, Actual Madrid and Arsenal.
As a substitute of chipping a sluggish shot over a goalkeeper diving at his toes, Özil would hit the ball powerfully off the turf along with his instep to generate elevation but additionally further tempo with the spin, making it tougher for defenders to succeed in and clear his shot. Genius.
7. Rivellino
Brazil’s Rivellino is tackled late by an Italian defender within the 1970 World Cup last. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Though the transfer is commonly attributed to Ronaldinho, the Elástico or “flip-flap” was used a lot earlier on by one other sensible Brazilian attacker: Roberto Rivelino.
Rivellino didn’t create the approach both, studying it from former Corinthians team-mate Sérgio Echigo, however he definitely perfected it and used it to beat an Italian defender within the 1970 World Cup last in opposition to Italy.
6. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona on the ball for Argentina in opposition to England on the 1986 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Diego Maradona is likely one of the best dribblers within the historical past of soccer and one of many Argentine’s most memorable strikes was his flip, which includes a drag-back to take the ball away from an opponent’s sort out, a physique spin to protect the ball after which a second drag-back to finish the flip and proceed the run.
Also known as the Maradona flip, the transfer is extra generally known as the Marseille flip and was popularised within the Seventies by French striker Yves Mariot. Later, it additionally grew to become a trademark of Les Bleus legend Zinédine Zidane.
5. Kerlon
Cruzeiro midfielder Kerlon reveals off his well-known seal dribble throughout the presentation of a cuddly toy in October 2007. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
As soon as thought of Brazil’s subsequent large factor and even described as a successor to Ronaldinho, Kerlon was the highest scorer and greatest participant because the Seleção gained the 2005 South American U-17 Championship in 2005. However his profession by no means reached its potential after he suffered two critical knee accidents.
An attacking midfielder who began out at Cruzeiro, Kerlon gained notoriety for his distinctive seal dribble, which might see him run with the ball balanced on his head. Opposition defenders typically took exception to the play, nonetheless, and the Brazilian was usually subjected to fouls when he tried the transfer.
4. René Higuita
Rene Higuita performs his iconic scorpion kick for Colombia in opposition to England in 1995. (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Colombian legend René Higuita lit up a goalless pleasant in opposition to England at Wembley in 1995 by repelling Jamie Redknapp’s overhit kick with a rare scorpion kick.
Higuita, nicknamed El Loco (“The Madman”), threw his the physique forwards and positioned his arms on the bottom to lunge his again heels ahead and clear the incoming ball. The linesman’s flag was already up and Higuita had spent a lot of the warm-up practising the kick, however nonetheless made clear contact to supply an iconic second which might later characteristic within the title of the documentary about his life: The Method of the Scorpion .
3. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco beneath stress from two South Korea defenders on the 1998 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Cuauhtémoc Blanco showcased a novel transfer on the 1998 World Cup in France. Beneath stress from two South Korean opponents, the Mexican ahead locked the ball between his toes and jumped in between his adversaries to maintain possession.
The transfer, which grew to become often known as La Cuauhtémiña in Mexico, was generally known as the “Blanco bounce” in English. The ahead invented the transfer as a youth participant and used it usually all through his profession. Towards Italy in 2002, it made one other look on the World Cup stage and likewise featured in his farewell match for América in opposition to Morelia in 2016.
2. Antonín Panenka
Antonin Panenka in motion for Czechoslovakia on the European Championship in 1980. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Antonín Panenka scored the successful penalty for Czechoslovakia in opposition to West Germany within the last of the 1976 European Championship – and his kick launched a way which has been admired and copied ever since.
In duels after coaching with Bohemians goalkeeper Zdeněk Hruška for beer or chocolate, Panenka developed a way which might see him dink the ball down the center. He perfected it in coaching, friendlies and used it in a win in opposition to Dukla Prague earlier than Euro 1976. However no person outdoors his homeland had seen it till he used the approach to beat Sepp Maier and seal the trophy for Czechoslovakia. Maier did not converse to him for 35 years, however the penalty has been imitated by most of the sport’s greats since and fittingly, the approach bears his identify.
1. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff dribbles previous goalkeeper Daniel Carnevali within the Netherlands’ win over Argentina on the 1974 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Carefully marked by Sweden defender Jan Olsson in a sport on the 1974 World Cup, Johan Cruyff feigned a cross after which dragged the ball again behind his standing leg, turned 180 levels and left the full-back in his wake.
Cruyff was not the primary participant to carry out the trick, however the transfer – which he later mentioned was improvised within the second – took his identify and was used within the title of his posthumous autobiography, My Flip , printed in 2016.
