A master of his craft and a bonafide legend — Erlend Fagerli has changed the world of freestyle football forever, and it’s all thanks to ‘The Erlend Roll’.
Blessed with an incredible mindset, the Norwegian has reinvented the sport, developing an array of tricks that have inspired a new generation of athletes to join the thriving community.
In total, the legend has won ten world titles, including four Red Bull Street Style Global Championships in an incredible run in which he dominated the sport, mesmerising crowds and terrifying his fellow competitors with his remarkable flips and unrivalled control of the ball.
During this year’s championships in Brussels, Belgium, the crowd watched in awe as the icon stepped on stage for one last dance. Alas, Fagerli fell short in an epic quarter-final against Tristan Gac, in which he gave his adoring followers their final opportunity to take in his greatness.
And while the loss signified the conclusion of his career, it certainly isn’t the end of his legacy, with Fagerli’s impact set to last for a very long time to come. Showcasing the support and friendship he brings to his fellow ballers, the 26-year-old ran onto the stage to give the eventual winner, Jay Hennicke, a massive hug, in a sequence of events that symbolised the passing of the torch.
But before he waved goodbye to the sport he holds so close to his heart, he offered to show Sporf his famous ‘Erlend Roll’.
Erlend Fagerli shows off The Erlend Roll
Like a dolphin leaping out of the water, the gifted sportsman dived through the air with an elegance and technique that left us pondering how anyone is capable of such a manoeuvre.
Ultimately, while his time at the top is over, millions around the world will continue to practice his moves, in a bid to one day replicate his achievements, and that’s bound to leave a smile on his face.
Featured Image Credit: Red Bull / James Sweetnam
