CARLOS BAFFLES SCIENCE
THE only question being asked 25 years ago seemed to be: “How on earth did Roberto Carlos do that?”
Fans of all sports asked the question, along with footballers, pundits, even scientists.
The best person to ask was Carlos himself – and he would just shrug.
“I don’t know how I did that,” he has said when asked to explain his goal against France at Tournoi de France in June, 1997.
Though he scored many other great goals, including the astonishing ‘El Gol Impossible’ for Real Madrid against Tenerife from near the corner flag, the Brazilian says he never struck a ball the way he did that day.
Carlos was a 24-year-old defender in a star-studded Brazilian team that included the jaw-dropping talents of Ronaldo and Romario.
They were all outshone by the leftback in France. Carlos was possibly the only person in the ground who fancied a free-kick – measured at 38 yards from France’s goal – was within his range, and his run up was almost as long.
His sight of the French goal was blocked by a four-man wall and Carlos instead made an advertisement his target. He aimed at the ‘A’ of a sign that read ‘La Poste’ that was two or three yards to the left of the post. Carlos got it all wrong!
He sent the ball hurtling wide of his target and towards a ball boy at around 86 miles per hour.
The ball fizzed past the wall and then a funny thing happened. The ball suddenly changed direction – much to the relief of the ball boy – and swerved towards the French goal.
Keeper Fabien Barthez (above) was guarding his post, but just stood and watched as the ball nudged it on its way into the net.
Barthez stood with his hands on his hips as Brazil celebrated and replays showed just how much the ball had curved.
Scientists later studied footage that showed Carlos’ left boot apparently defying the laws of physics.
Carlos put it down to years of practise and striking the ball at the right spot at the right angle – and very hard indeed.
Carlos said he never topped it. “Some day someone will score a similar goal,” he said.
But 25 years on, we are still waiting.