Learn how to do the best football skills made famous by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar…
If you have been a football fan all your life, at some point or the other you may have thought about pulling off skills on the field.
Football skills are one of the major attractions of the sport, loved by the young and the old alike. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Johan Cryuff, George Best and Neymar have all contributed to the list of top football skills available for you to check out and learn.
Have you ever wanted to know how a certain skill is performed by footballers? Here, GOAL lists the best football skills in the world right now and helps you learn how to perform them.
GettyThe Roulette / Maradona Turn / Zidane Pirouette
As a clever move for quickly getting past an incoming challenge, the Roulette is a valuable skill to have in your catalogue. However, it is not exactly common to see it on the field due to the spatial awareness needed to pull off this move elegantly.
The Roulette, a skill which also goes by names like the Maradona Turn, Zidane Pirouette, spin and 360, requires you to neatly execute three steps.
How to do the Roulette skillWhen the defender gets close, stop the ball with your feet and drag it back with your dominant foot.Turn 180 degrees so that your back is now facing the defender.Use the other feet to take the ball past the defender and complete the 360 degree turn.
Check out the video below and practice.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Cruyff Turn
When you talk about skills and technique in football, Johan Cruyff is one of the first names that pops up.
His famous Cruyff turn is a feast to the eyes when players pull it off during the game.
How to do the Cruyff turnWhen one leg is alongside the ball, knock the ball behind with the other foot.Turn to face the direction in which you knocked the ball and get away from your marker.GettyRabona
The famous Rabona kick in football is believed by some to be first popularised by the legend Pele in the 1950s. It has since then became an iconic move and one that is popular among professional footballers.
The likes of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard have all played their part in making it a good-looking skill close to the goal in modern football.
How to do the RabonaPlant your weaker foot (or the foot you don't intend to kick the ball with) firmly on the ground, facing in the direction you want to kick and a few inches away from the ballLean back slightly and wrap your other foot behind your planted foot.Bend both knees slightly to allow for better control and kick the ball with the outside of your boot for maximum impact.GettyElastico
Elastico is a thrilling skill move, made famous by Brazi star Ronaldinho during his peak years.
When done right, it allows you to quickly skip past the defender in front of you. This move is also especially useful you are stationary and is looking to launch yourselves into a dribble.
How to do the ElasticoElastico is made up of two quick touches. Use the tip of the outside of your boot to caress the inside of the ball.Keep the ball close to your boot as you move your boot to the outside of the boot while the ball spins.After the ball makes an initial move to the right because you moved your boot, quickly push the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of your boot to end up 'faking' a pass or a move.
