The Physical Explanation Behind Roberto Carlos’ Legendary Free-Kick

It happened during the 1997 Tournoi de France, a friendly tournament, in a match against France. This goal is still talked about today, and for good reason. It seemed to defy the laws of physics.

The kick was taken from about 35 meters (approximately 115 feet) away from the goal, which is already a daunting distance for any free-kick taker. The best betting from 1xBet Nigeria can also be used to wager on what will happen during a free kick too.

**Bending the ball in a seemingly impossible way**

But what made this kick special wasn’t just the power behind it, but the crazy curve the ball took on its way to the net. Most free-kicks are about accuracy and a bit of bend, but Roberto Carlos’ strike was different. The best bet on football from 1xBet can also be used to wager on whether a specialist will take a free kick too.

It initially looked like it was going to sail wide of the goal by a few meters, only to suddenly curl back in at the last moment and nestle into the bottom corner. Even the French goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez, was left rooted to the spot, utterly bewildered. Visit 1xBet to make the best football bets on the French national side too.

What really happened?

This moment is a combination of physics and the sheer skill of Roberto Carlos. The key factor here is something called the Magnus effect, which is what happens when a spinning object moves through the air. When Roberto Carlos struck the ball, he put a huge amount of spin on it. Visit www.1xbet.ng/en/virtualsports to wager on different occurrences from virtual sports too.

It is estimated to be around 10 revolutions per second. The spin created a difference in air pressure on either side of the ball. On one side, the ball was pushing against the air more than on the other, causing the ball to curve.

But there’s more to it. The speed of the shot was recorded at an insane 137 kilometers per hour (about 85 miles per hour), which added to the unpredictability. The faster the ball moves, the more exaggerated the Magnus effect becomes. This explains why the ball seemed to be heading one way and then dramatically swerved in another direction. Visit 1xBet to bet on the outcomes of free kicks.

Interestingly, studies have shown that this kind of curve isn’t just a fluke. The shot can be replicated if three conditions are satisfied:

* enough power,
* the right spin,
* and distance.

But of course, pulling it off in a real game, under pressure, is what made Roberto Carlos’ free-kick so legendary.