Some Iconic Football Moves and Their Origins

Ever since its existence, football has witnessed unforgettable moments with legendary players. Luckily, it is a sport that has room for growth. It is important to point out that football has not lost its popularity in the modern era despite being invented many years prior. It is considered a global phenomenon because of its universal appeal, which transcends linguistic, cultural, and geographic barriers.

Football provides a special combination of athleticism, skill, and strategy. The moments of individual skills and teamwork are combined to maintain the excitement that enthralls spectators worldwide. It is the individual talent that creates many football legends and heroes over time. However, only a selected few managed to immortalize their name with their unique skills and football intelligence. In this article, I will try to explain the origins of unique techniques that are named after their creators. 

The Cruyff Turn - Johan Cruyff

It is a skill move that you use to dribble past an opponent quickly changing direction. The Cruyff Turn is effective because the player quickly reverses direction with the ball at their feet while tricking the opponent into expecting a shot or pass in one way. To execute it well, one must need exceptional coordination, timing, and agility. The first Cruyff turn is known to be born in a match between the Netherlands and Sweden, in the group stage of the 1974 World Cup.

La Cuauhtemina - Cuauhtémoc Blanco

La Cuauhtemiña is a variation of the Rabona, which is a technique in which the player kicks the ball while encircling the back of the standing leg with the kicking leg. This gives the play an extra amount of deception, making it harder for defenders to predict and intercept the ball. It is also frequently used to outmaneuver opponents in confined areas to create scoring opportunities. Cuauhtémoc Blanco debuted his signature move at the 1998 World Cup in France where he played against South Korea.

Panenka Penalty Kick - Antonin Panenka

Antonín Panenka famously used this technique to score the winning penalty for Czechoslovakia in the final of the 1976 UEFA European Championship against West Germany. The goalkeeper usually dives to one side or the other as the player carefully chips the ball right down the center of the goal. The penalty taker's ability to maintain control and his ability to deception while waiting for the goalkeeper to dive before delicately lifting the ball over him are the key points. He made a lasting impression on football history and gave this risky penalty kick technique his name. 

The Higuita Scorpion Kick - René Higuita

Due to its risky nature and the goalkeeper's ability to do such an acrobatic maneuver, the Higuita scorpion kick gained international attention. Although René Higuita is the primary figure of this iconic move, it has become an unforgettable moment in football history and has been attempted by other goalkeepers as well. Few have been able to manage Higuita's initial achievement. He executed this extraordinary move during a match between Colombia and England at Wembley Stadium in 1995.

The Maradona Spin - Diego Maradona

This dribbling move is called the "Maradona spin," but it is sometimes referred to as the "Maradona turn" or the "360-degree spin". The player uses this skillful move to change directions quickly and to distance themselves from defenders while still controlling the ball. Players find it particularly useful when they need to quickly change direction to pass their rival or when they are under intense defensive pressure. During his successful career, Diego Maradona popularised this style of play, particularly by showing it with the Argentine national team.

The Papinade - Jean-Pierre Papin

Jean-Pierre Papin was well-known for his skillful goal-scoring, which included bicycle kicks, and his acrobatic style of play. To perform a Papinade, a player must execute a bicycle kick while the ball is in mid-air, adding strength to the hit to model Papin's technique. He used this move against Belgium in 1992, and thanks to his "golden goal", France won the victory.

The Garrincha Turn - Mané Garrincha

Garrincha was renowned for his amazing dribbling skills and agility. He often used the turn that bears his name to get past defenders. The Garrincha turn is an effective technique because it unexpectedly changes the direction and the player can protect the ball while performing the move, which takes defenders off guard. To perform effectively, you need to have good timing, balance, and agility. Garrincha's spectacular dribbling skills made the highlight of the World Cups he had competed.

The Bolasie Flick - Yannick Bolasie

Being one of the recent examples, Bolasie's dribbling move was popularised with a memorable execution during a Premier League match in 2015. Players use this skill, which is distinguished by its inventiveness, to flick the ball over the head of an opponent whilst remaining in control and possession. When Yannick Bolasie did the flick during a Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur game, it received a lot of attention and praise, and it became known as his move.

The Makélélé Role - Claude Makélélé

The Makélélé Role is a specific defensive midfield position and playing style that is named after the French footballer Claude Makélélé. Usually, a defensive midfielder executes the Makélélé role by starting in front of the defense, shielding the defenders, and serving as a link between the midfield and defensive lines. This technique of Makélélé revolutionized the defense mechanism that was present in England.