Better Flying Kick: Cruijff or Cantona?

By: chris | October 10th, 2008

We thank The Guardian, who thank Zlatan Ibrahimovic for reminding them, for reminding us of this goal, scored by one Hendrik Johannes Cruijff. A guy who once did some things way back when. Certainly one of the greatest goals ever, but is it the greatest flying kick football has ever seen? Many will say yes, but there’s a man who might just disagree and his name is Eric.

A couple of you might remember this…

Breaking it down, Johan obviously had more fluid (read: better) form, while Eric’s was a bit rougher around the edges - though one could say they were both equally representative of their intent. JC scored a goal, Eric’s landed him in the stands for a very long time, along with some community service. But what sets Cantona’s Flying Frenchman apart from his Dutch counterpart is that his kick gave birth to one of the most infamous (and brief) football press conferences of all time.

After listening to that poetry, how could one choose anything else?

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Category: World Football

Tags: Barcelona, Bologna, Cruijff, Eric Cantona, flying kick, france, Johan Cruyff, kung fu, Manchester United, Netherlands, World Football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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• Laurie |  October 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

  
  
  

  Cantona, all the way.

  Posted from United States

  

• alessio |  October 10th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

  
  
  

  Any man who kung-fu kicks a fan in the face and then tells the media to blow off stylistically (not Joe Kinnear style) deserves some respect.

  Of course, Cruijff kick was much more difficult technically.

  Posted from United States

  

• 9 Champions Leagues |  October 11th, 2008 at 6:19 am

  
  
  

  i disagree, what would have been technically difficult is to strike with the opposing leg, in Cruyff’s case, with is left leg since he would have to completely turn his body towards the goal.

  Posted from Spain

  

• Rob |  October 11th, 2008 at 6:33 am

  
  
  

  That Johan goal might just be my favourite goal of ever, I never tire of seeing it. Posted over at the CL offside a few times.

  The Cantona kick was a big part of my childhood though.

  Posted from United States

  

• Mat |  October 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am

  
  
  

  are you saying that what Johan did was not technically difficult…what else do you want him to do…hit with his right, then left, and then head it into the goal?? jeez

  Posted from United States

  

• matt |  October 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am

  
  
  

  heinze’s flying goal against mexico was just as good as the cruyff one.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGtxQZY9Jr8

  Posted from United States

  

• elle |  October 12th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

  
  
  

  Eric the King!

  Posted from United States

  

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