On This Day 23 Years Ago, A Certain Brazilian Defied The Law Of Physics

June 3 1997 was the day Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos blessed the beautiful game with one of the most beautiful games in football nicknamed "The Banana Freekick".


In a friendly tournament which was used as a preparation for the 1998 World Cup, Carlos shocked both the football world physicist with his thunderous 35 metres shot.



Before the 2002 World cup, FIFA had not yet established the Confederation Cup, so the Tournoi de France was used by the football governing body to test France's preparation for the world cup.

Brazil were pitted against France and it was in that match that Carlos's beautiful goal was born.

Roberto Carlos struck the ball so hard after a long run from the halfway line, the ball looked to be going in a certain direction towards the corner flag, but curved back and went straight into the back of the net leaving France's goalie Fabian Barthez motionless and speechless.






The goal was so incredible that four French scientist had to study and do much analysis to understand the concept behind the curve of the ball leading to goal.





Roberto Carlos was one of the best left backs of his generation and was known for his high shot power and freekicks.

Till date no other footballer has been able to recreate such a goal. Even Carlos himself when questioned said he never tried it again, because he knew it was impossible to do so.



Roberto Carlos would go on to win the World cup five years later in Korea/Japan 2002.

He spent most of his playing days at Real Madrid were he won 4 La Liga and 3 Uefa Champions League titles.

Carlos played till 2015 aged 42 when he retired.

Many players have scored similar goals to his but non can be compared to his - It was simply spectacular.

Click here to watch Roberto Carlo's brilliant freekick on this day in 1997