The Weekly Take, Issue 10: An Ode to the Bicycle Kick

When the draw for the Champions League quarterfinals was made, all eyes naturally turned to the Real Madrid-Juventus match, as it was a rematch of last season’s final.

Although the match was expected to be close, such was not the case, as Real Madrid swept Juventus aside 3-0. The highlight of the match was a spectacular bicycle kick scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Such was the skill level involved in scoring the goal that almost as soon as it was scored, the video of the goal went viral on the Internet.

There is just something about a perfectly-executed bicycle kick.

No other shot in football is able to capture the imagination of fans in quite the way that this electrifying, athletic manoeuvre is able to.

Because of the rarity of such a goal, as well as the sheer athleticism involved in scoring it, bicycle kicks have an almost-superhuman air about them.

They are the sort of goals that every aspiring footballer dreams of scoring someday.

Ronaldo’s goal against Juve joins the likes of several other iconic bicycle kicks.

Arguably the most spectacular goal ever scored via a bicycle kick was scored by Zlatan Ibrahimović in a 2012 international friendly that saw Sweden play against England.

After an errant header by England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Ibrahimović saw his opportunity and thrust himself skyward, then launched a ferocious overhead shot that flew 30 metres, eventually coming to rest in the England net.

As if that weren’t enough, it was Ibrahimović’s fourth goal of the match.

In terms of sheer importance, one bicycle kick that stands out is Rivaldo’s effort against Valencia in a 2001 La Liga match.

Before the goal was scored, the match was tied at 2-2. Barcelona had to win to finish fourth in the league, and thus qualify for the next season’s Champions League.

With time soon to run out, Frank de Boer lofted a perfect pass that barely cleared the Valencia defense. Rivaldo took the pass on his chest, then unleashed a stunning bicycle kick that flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Not only did the goal send Barcelona to the Champions League, it also denied Valencia a spot in the competition.

During the 1982 World Cup, Klaus Fischer executed the move to perfection on the biggest stage of all.

In the semifinal match against France, West Germany trailed 3-2 and were on the brink of elimination. Then, in the 108th minute, Pierre Littbarski’s cross was met by Horst Hrubesch, who headed the ball downwards towards Fischer. Fischer proceeded to launch a bicycle kick, which found the back of the net. The match would finish 3-3, and West Germany would win the ensuing penalty shootout and advance to the final.

Bicycle kicks are always spectacular, but, as with any other highlight-reel goal, they are even more special when they come against a bitter rival, such as the one scored by Dimitar Berbatov for Manchester United against Liverpool in 2010.

Nani launched a cross into a crowded penalty area, which Berbatov was the recipient of. Berbatov took the cross on his knee, pivoted, then, in spite of the tight defense around him, fired a bicycle kick that found its way into the goal via the underside of the crossbar.

The goal was the second of a match-winning hattrick, thus ensuring that there would forever be a place for the Bulgarian in United’s history books.

It is worth noting that in all the matches mentioned, including the Real-Juve match, the scorer of the bicycle kick’s team went on to win.

This should not come as a surprise, because, regardless of the situation at the time of the goal, when such a goal is scored, it gives the scorer’s team an incredible mental lift, while at the same time severely demoralising the opposing team.

There are many types of goals that can considered to be spectacular, from long-range thunderbolts, to goals scored by beating defender after defender, to well-struck free kicks, to perfectly-timed volleys.

However, none of these will ever amaze and delight fans in the same way a bicycle kick would, simply because it is arguably the one football move which the average fan could never even dream of pulling off.