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Definition

Trivela

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Striking the ball with the outside of your foot to bend it in an unexpected direction. Ricardo Quaresma made the trivela famous as his signature move in Portugal, almost always crossing with what looks like the wrong foot to pull off the skill. It's tricky to do but useful for curving passes or shots around defenders when the inside of your foot won't give you the right angle, or to confuse defenders. Modrić and Bruno Fernandes have been known to use a trivela.

Ricardo Quaresma's trivela cross in the 2016 European Championship against Croatia perfectly exemplified the technique - the ball curled wickedly from the right wing, finding Nani for a headed goal.

The Fan
The Fan Feb 8, 2026
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