Somersault throw-ins in soccer are as rare as they are successful. The idea isn’t terrible per se — a launched throw that has the potential to be as effective as a corner kick sounds great. More often than not though, the end result is the thrower embarrassing themselves in front of everyone.
Iranian international Milad Mohammadi’s awful attempt at the World Cup stands as a grave reminder for how it can go wrong.
Never forget Iran's Milad Mohammadi having the chance to launch a throw into the box against Spain with seconds left in the World Cup, only to do this instead...pic.twitter.com/TEaQYeIjIv
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 15, 2019
Nothing quite like embarrassing yourself on the biggest stage in the sporting world.
In Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League, Paykan’s defender Nader Mohammadi put Milad to shame with one of the longest somersault throw-ins ever seen.
Sadly, the goal wouldn’t have counted if it went in as a goal can’t be scored directly from a throw-in. Honestly though, that rule should absolutely change. If a player has the ability to heave a ball that far and manages to get it past a goalkeeper, it should count.
If the goalkeeper is foolish enough to touch the ball before it goes across the line then the goal stands. This actually has happened before in a high school match.
The teenager who threw the ball in that video is Michael Lewis, and he holds the world record for the longest throw-in at 196 feet.
Our friend in the Persian Gulf Pro League still has some ground to make up on Lewis.
Here's more on the new World Record Throw in: He's Michael Lewis (21) from McKinney & beat the previous record (168.5ft)) by @ThomasThrowin (the famous throw-in coach at #Liverpool) by 28ft (196ft). Hope to have Michael on the show soon. Congrats Michael! pic.twitter.com/2ewkEp6yKV
— The KickAround (@TheKickAround) April 24, 2019
Mohammadi might not have the world record for the longest throw, but he was able to get an assist in his team’s 4-1 victory from a rocket somersault throw-in.
