What is the origin of the bicycle kick? Known as the “chilena” or “chalaca,” the bicycle kick is arguably the most breathtaking acrobatic feat in soccer history. Unraveling the true origins of this spectacular move takes us on a journey through South America in the early 20th century.
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Quick Answer
The first ever bicycle kick is generally credited to Ramón Unzaga, a Basque-born Chilean athlete who performed it in Talcahuano, Chile, in 1914. It later became famously known as the “Chilena” after the Chilean national team showcased it internationally.
Ramón Unzaga and the “Chilena”
In 1914, Ramón Unzaga pioneered a move at the El Morro stadium in Talcahuano where he threw his body backward into the air to strike the ball overhead. The move stunned spectators and quickly became his signature technique. When the Chilean national team performed it during the South American Championship, the press dubbed it the “Chilena.”
The “Chalaca”: Peruvian Claims to the Origin
While Chile claims the move, Peru asserts that the bicycle kick was actually invented in the late 19th century by Afro-Peruvian locals in the port city of Callao. They called it the “Chalaca.” Historical accounts suggest that British sailors witnessed the locals playing and executing this overhead kick long before Unzaga popularized it.
Leonidas da Silva and Global Popularity
While Unzaga invented it, Brazilian forward Leônidas da Silva is often credited with perfecting and popularizing the bicycle kick on the global stage during the 1938 World Cup. Since then, it has been immortalized by legends like Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
