Former set-piece expert Juninho Payonambukono did not name Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi as the best free-kickman in modern sports.
The 50 -year -old Juninho played for five clubs during his two -decade long game career, but is known for his time in Ligna 1 Side Leone, where he reduced his business between 2001 and 2009.
And like most Brazilian players, he was a technically talented footballer and could choose a pass almost anywhere on the pitch.
But all this former attacker midfielder was not good, as he mastered the art of taking free kicks.
Overall, he made 77 free kicks during his 20-year career and even praised former AC Milan, Juventus and Italy’s veteran Andrea Peerlo, who was a top-class operator when he came in sets.
“During his time in Leon, the man did some extraordinary things to the ball,” Pirlo wrote in his 2014 book.
“He will put it on the ground, rotate his body in some strange shapes, take his run-up and score.
“He never went wrong. Never. I checked his statistics and realized that it could not just be a chance.
“He was like an orchestra conductor, which was assembled upside down with a baton placed by his feet instead of his hands.
“He gives you a thumb by lifting your big toe up and thumbs – someone was having a good laugh in Ekiya on which he kept it together.”
But who considers Juninho the best free-kick in modern football?
Most people think about Ronaldo’s prestigious run-up or even James Ward-Professor’s top corner to find almost innocent ability.
But it was none of the two players who were called “incredible” by Brazil.
Juninho described former Roma and Barcelona midfielder Mirlem Pajan as “best in the world” in 2015.
Mirlam Pajan in Action for Barcelona (Credit: Getty)
“Myer has incredible quality,” Juninho told L ‘equipe,
“He is probably the best free -one in the world today … no, I am sure – he is the best.
“He is very efficient and, top, consistent. This is the most difficult part. There is a lot of variation in their attacks. He is capable of shooting different ways depending on the distance.
“I told him at the time that the recurrence of action was the most important thing to be a great free-kickman. It is tedious, but it is really the most important part.”
The 34 -year -old Pajanic, now plays for CSKA Moscow by the Russian Premier League outfit, who left Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the previous season.
He said, “Myer was always interested in my shooting technology on free kick.”
“Unfortunately, we did not rub shoulders with each other for a very long time because I left a year after coming from Metz in 2008.
“He was always with me after training for free-kick practice. We discussed things a lot.”