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Peter Fitzpatrick·21 June 2025
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Peter Fitzpatrick·21 June 2025
Ronaldo might have been the undisputed star of the 2002 World Cup-winning Brazil side, but Ronaldinho scored the goal best remembered on this day 23 years ago.
La Seleção came into the tournament in iffy form, and with so many questions around the fitness of the injury-riddled R9, but both team and striker kicked into gear from the outset.
They faced their first true task at the quarter-final stage, taking on England. Michael Owen gave the Three Lions the lead before Rivaldo equalised right before half-time.
That set the stage for the third of three Rs to make his mark on the competition in spectacular style.
Did he mean it? Who knows.
23 years ago, Ronaldinho fooled everyone with 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 free-kick against England 🤙 (via @FIFAWorldCup)–
The future Barcelona superstar, then at PSG, would be sent off eight minutes later, but it mattered little as Brazil progressed, leaving David Seaman in tears.
Is this the most famous World Cup free-kick? Let us know in the comments!
📸 Tim de Waele