Remember him? Ex-Flamengo star scores Ronaldinho-style free-kick, watch | OneFootball

Currently at Rio Branco from Espírito Santo, Rafael Vaz scored a stunning goal this weekend

Ronaldinho Gaúcho’s iconic free-kick goal in Santos 4×5 Flamengo will turn 15 next July. However, last weekend, the former number 10’s masterpiece got a replay, this time from a former Mengão center back. Rafael Vaz, now at Rio Branco-ES, scored from a free kick that went under Capital-DF’s wall.

View this photo on Instagram A post shared by Rio Branco Atlético Clube (@riobrancoes)

The play in question happened in the 53rd minute of the second half. From even farther out than Ronaldinho’s against Santos, Rafael Vaz unleashed a rocket, the wall jumped, and the center back ran off to celebrate. It was the last goal of the match, which ended in a 2-0 win for Rio Branco in the Copa Centro-Oeste last Sunday (29).

“A giant in defense and decisive in attack. Rafael Vaz is his name. He’s not Ronaldinho Gaúcho, don’t get confused. The second goal in the black-caped team’s 2-0 win over Capital,” Rio Branco’s official social media page joked after the match.

WHEN DID RAFAEL VAZ PLAY FOR FLAMENGO?

Although he was inspired by Ronaldinho, Rafael Vaz did not play alongside the star from Rio Grande do Sul at Flamengo. That’s because the former number 10 was at the club in 2011 and 2012, while the center back wore the Sacred Mantle between 2016 and 2017. In total, he had two goals and one assist in 79 matches. The player won one Carioca Championship.

WHO CURRENTLY PLAYS WITH RAFAEL VAZ?

Interestingly, Rafael Vaz plays alongside the brother of a Flamengo player. It is Andrey Ventura, a goalkeeper and the brother of fellow professional Andrew, Rossi’s backup at Mengão. Rio Branco’s keeper started the match and witnessed up close the masterpiece by the former red-and-black center back at Juscelino Kubitschek Stadium in Brasília.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.