Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick against Portsmouth in 2008 has gone down in history as one of the best in Premier League history. The goal, which has been watched millions of times, left fans and fellow professionals alike in awe of Ronaldo’s physics-defying ability. Manchester United manager at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson, called it the best free-kick he had ever seen in the Premier League, saying that “no goalkeeper in the world would have stopped it”.
The technique used by Ronaldo to achieve the knuckleball effect has since been attempted by many players, including Didier Drogba and Mason Mount. Drogba admitted to being inspired by Ronaldo’s goal, and attempted to replicate it himself during his time at Chelsea. Mount, who was at Fratton Park watching Portsmouth play Manchester United when Ronaldo scored his iconic goal, later joined Chelsea’s academy and has since become a key player for the Blues. He has also attempted to replicate Ronaldo’s technique, with some success.
Another player who has shown promise in replicating the knuckleball effect is Marcus Rashford. Although not known for his free-kicks, Rashford scored an excellent one against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in 2019, evoking memories of Ronaldo’s effort. The goal left Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero with no chance.
Ronaldo’s free-kick against Portsmouth has had a lasting impact on the sport, inspiring players to attempt to replicate his technique and achieve the knuckleball effect. While some have been successful, others have fallen short. However, the fact that Ronaldo’s goal continues to be watched and admired by fans and professionals alike is a testament to its greatness.