Footballer felled by 'ghost defender'

It’s not often that an athlete can make a commentator laugh hysterically, but that’s exactly what a Brazilian footballer has done with a comical tumble.

Jorge Marco de Oliveira Moraes had possession and was rampaging into the opposition half for Flamengo when he suddenly lurched into the air in awkward fashion as though he had been fouled by a ghost.

While Jorge’s theatrics made it look like he was trying to win a free kick, replays appear to show that the Flamengo left back’s studs got caught in the pitch and he hyperextended his left knee.

The fact that he is left writhing on the ground clutching his left knee as play continues on around him supports that version of events.

What there is no doubt about is how funny the incident looked, sparking hysterical laughter from the commentator and booing from the stands.