PSG’s Messi and Neymar are free-kick idols for Crystal Palace attacker

Crystal Palace loanee Scott Banks has name-checked Lionel Messi, Neymar and ex-Celtic cult hero Shunsuke Nakamura as players he studied as a youngster to help develop his free-kick taking skills.

Banks is out on loan at Mark Hughes’ Bradford City this season, with the Scottish playmaker already showcasing his deadball expertise in League Two.

The 21-year-old opened the scoring in the Bantams’ 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon in the fourth minute, curling a free-kick with pace around a six-man wall on the edge of the box and past Nik Tzanev.

“When I was younger, with my mates, we would go out and take free kicks for hours,” Banks told the South London Press.

“When I started to play football at a good level, it was something that had always stuck with me. 

“I have always practised, and I haven’t stopped doing that, because the second I do, I know that I won’t be able to produce the results on the pitch.

“From the left-footed aspect, watching Messi take free kicks was very enjoyable. 

“But growing up, my favourite player to watch was Neymar, and he obviously takes a lot of free-kicks.

“Growing up in Scotland, watching Shunsuke Nakamura take free kicks was also enjoyable as well. 

“It was something that really caught my eye as a kid – it was something I always wanted to do. 

“There is no better feeling than when one of them hits the back of the net.”

See tomorrow’s South London Press for an exclusive interview with Banks about his season-long loan move to Bradford City.