Man Utd flop Bebe channels inner Cristiano Ronaldo with incredible 40-yard goal in AFCON clash

Former Manchester United forward Bebe channelled his inner Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring a 40-yard free kick for Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33-year-old, who was born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, was named in the starting XI to take on Mozambique in their second AFCON group game.

In the 32nd minute, Cape Verde won a free kick from around 40 yards out, which Bebe was entrusted to take.

The winger stepped up and hit an effort towards goal with the side of his foot, which appeared to swerve in the air as it got closer to Mozambique shot-stopper Ernan.

And the goalkeeper was unable to keep the effort out, with the ball bursting through his hands and into the back of the net.

You can watch the clip below.

Although the goal itself wasn't quite up there with Ronaldo - with question marks over the goalkeeping - the audacity of hitting a free kick from range certainly was.

Bebe currently still plays in a top division of European football, having spent the last five-and-a-half years with La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.

They are his third permanent club since his departure from United in 2014, with the forward spending time at Benfica and Eibar.

Bebe joined United in 2010 as a 20-year-old, having been recommended to Sir Alex Ferguson by his former assistant Carlos Quieroz, who was in charge of Portugal at the time.

But his time at Old Trafford was not to be successful, as he scored two goals in seven games in his first campaign before spending the rest of his spell at the club out on loan in Turkey and Portugal.

Speaking about his stint at United in an interview with ESPN, he admitted: "If I knew then what I know now, I'd have been there for many more years.

"I'd sleep more, I wouldn't do so many crazy things. When I had a day off, I used to take a plane to Portugal.

"[Today] I'd look after myself more as a professional, look after my body, focus on football. I was there [at United], but in my head, I was on holiday with friends.

"But I don't regret it. You have to think, I went from having nothing, in an orphanage, to a place with the biggest stars in the world. They were the best team around at that moment.

"I didn't have a father, I didn't have my mother or grandmother to say, 'No, don't do that.' It was me, and I did whatever I wanted."

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Manchester United, Africa Cup Of Nations, Football

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.