The world of football was stunned in 1997 when Brazilian star Roberto Carlos came up with what is still the best goal from a free-kick.
A year before World Cup in 1998, Brazil, who were in great form, set up a friendly against France in 1997, as both teams fought for the friendly tournament called Le Tournoi.
And that game produced a moment that will not be forgotten by any football fan ever.
The full-back, who was a part of the Real Madrid squad, was offered a free-kick some 35 yards away from goal and the French defenders were getting ready to try and stop a cross that can harm their goal.
However, they did not know that they will witness a moment that defies all logic known to man.
Robert Carlos stepped up to take the free-kick some 35 yards out and unlike most players, he did not try for a curler up and above the wall.
He did not even look for a teammate in the box and had only one thing in mind.
He charged towards the ball and met it with his right foot, and though it looked like the ball was creeping wide of the post initially, without much fuzz, the amount of spin Carlos gave to the ball made it talk.
It gathered pace along the way in the air and also started to jar back towards the goal, leaving the goalkeeper astonished.
Here is the video of this goal:
Fabien Barthez, the French keeper, could not do much, as it found its way to the back of the net, after kissing the inside of the post.
Carlos produced a moment of brilliance with an effort, not many would even think about trying, but the Brazil star feels that he never knew that he had it in him.
Speaking to the media recently about this wonder goal, Carlos revealed that it was spontaneous and that he still enjoys looking at it.
Carlos admits he is still baffled as to how it went in.
He said: “I have no clue how I scored it.
“I used to practise my free-kicks a lot. I would stay behind in training and hit them and, on this particular occasion, it came off well for me.
“I just hit it and it went in,” he added.
That goal still remains one of the most astonishing goals in the sport and us yet to be replicated even in fan videos.
* Image Courtesy: Getty Images; Press Association