10 Best Cristiano Ronaldo Moments Ever

Set pieces have long been an important part of football. David Beckham, Juninho, Roberto Carlos, Zico, Ronaldinho and many others have made the art of direct free kick taking something more than just a chance to score - it became a way for these players to stamp their authority on the game as the most dangerous players in the world.

While Beckham had his signature style and no-one could hit a ball like Carlos, Ronaldo took a completely different view of set pieces by the time he was Manchester United's go-to kicker. Instead of wrapping his foot around it, or thumping it with all he had, Ronaldo practiced after hours at United's training ground to hone his own personal manner.

Though he's never named it in interviews, the style is known as the 'knuckleball' and requires the striker to take a short backlift before firing their foot through the ball in an awkward, sometimes painful, reflex action. The technique was first brought to the public's attention by Lyon legend Juninho Pernambucano, but Ronaldo made the great Brazilian's style his signature.

Striking the ball in precisely the right place produces exceptional speed, loft, dip and movement as exemplified here: