Q: why can't I create a free icloud account

make one here

https://appleid.apple.com/

What happens when you try? If there is an error message, what is the exact

wording of that message?

"This device is no longer eligible for creating a free icloud account"

That implies that the device is already linked to an iCloud account.

You can create an account on another device or computer, and then use it

on your iPhone.

You cannot unlink the iPhone from its previous account. The owner of the iCloud

account to which the iPhone is linked must remove the account before you can

use your iCloud account on that iPhone.

Read here for more information:

Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account