Although the technique has no English name, Portuguese‑speaking nations call it the ‘Paradinha’. This translates as ‘little stop’ and Brazil forward Neymar has even attempted to use it from a free-kick. , external
It also cleverly bypasses Fifa rules that prevent a full stop at the end of a run-up.
This style is a legal variation because his faints and stutters occur during the run-up rather than the point of contact.
BBC Sport’s Football issues correspondent, Dale Johnson, said: “The act of feinting in the run-up on a penalty was made famous during Pele’s time as a player.
“Football’s lawmakers banned it for a short while, but in the mid 1980s it was reversed and we’re at where we are today.
“A player is allowed to stop or feint during the run-up as they wish – as long as they do not do it directly before they kick the ball.
“It’s controversial because it gives the striker another advantage, but it’s completely legal in law
“The only time VAR has ordered a retake for feinting was February 2018, when Tottenham defeated Rochdale in a fifth-round FA Cup replay and Son Heung-min was also booked.”
In 2010, Fifa called the paradinha penalty ‘unsporting’ and changed the laws around it but it still appears that many are not sure of what is allowed or not in this situation.
“That’s for the referees to talk about. I don’t want to say it’s allowed or not allowed,” Silva added.
“When it’s the last moment that he goes to the ball he doesn’t stop and until there he is allowed to do what he does.
“He doesn’t stop completely. He doesn’t miss and I understand why people complain so much.”