Roberto Carlos defies physics with his famous Banana Shot (1997)



    by Oestrelatico

    22 Comments

    1. whole_chocolate_milk on

      If by defies physics. You mean exactly follows the laws of physics. Then yes.

    2. the-silver-tuna on

      Super cool but if he hits that spot (post and in) without bending it the goalie still has no chance. So I don’t think the bend helps him here. Maybe I’m wrong.

    3. Oestrelatico on

      Additional information: This was one of the most famous goals in football history, scored on June 3, 1997, during a 1-1 draw between France and Brazil in the Tournoi de France. Brazil had a free kick about 35 meters from the goal, and Roberto Carlos decided to shoot with the outside of his left foot, using the so-called trivela technique. At the moment of the shot, the ball seemed like it would go far wide of the goal, deflecting well past the wall and heading out of bounds. However, mid-flight, the ball began to curve extremely sharply and unexpectedly, quickly returning towards the goal and going in next to the post of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. The trajectory was so impressive that the shot became known as the “Banana Shot”. The play became world-famous and even became the subject of scientific studies on aerodynamics and the so-called Magnus effect, an effect that explains how the rotation of the ball can drastically alter its trajectory in the air.

    4. Crazy how physics takes a break for sports sometimes, and the athletes know exactly when it will happen

    5. Alaskantrash96 on

      I love seeing someone be an absolute master at their craft or sport, even if it’s one I’m not particularly interested in

    6. Can’t believe I saw this live. Maybe 2 min lag coz I was in nepal. But god damn this got me wet. Tho I was a 10 year old straight nice dude. *insert meme*

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