Sheffield teenager's 'Beckhamesque' free kick praised by Paul Pogba

Ellis Bingham, an 18-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday academy player from Parson Cross, curled in the exquisite goal for Nappys XI in the Sheffield & District Fair Play League before the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to football.

Manchester United’s Pogba called it a ‘beautiful goal’, comparing it to ‘Golden Balls’ in his prime and ranking it third out of a host of stunning strikes sent in to SPORTbible’s Paul Pogba Rates Your Skills feature.

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Ellis, who is a Sheffield United fan despite having turned out for the Owls academy up to under-16 level, said the France midfield maestro’s praise had inspired him to knuckle down and make the most of his undoubted talent once the COVID-19 crisis is over.

“I’ve scored a few like that and my team mates are used to it now but I was over the moon to have it recognised by Paul Pogba, because I’m a big fan,” he said.

“I’ve modelled my free kick technique on David Beckham, so it means a lot to be compared to him, and this has given me the motivation to really push for a career in football once the season resumes.”

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Nappys XI were established in memory of Craig Crapper, a much-loved junior football coach who founded Southey Wolves FC, after he died aged 57 in 2018.

They were sitting atop the Fair Play League’s fourth division, with 15 wins out of 17 games, before the season was suspended.