Free-kicks, those intense moments when the fate of a match can be decided, have always been at the heart of football. Some players have elevated this art to an exceptional level, making their mark on the history of the sport through their mastery of the free-kick. In this article, we explore the list of the best free-kick takers in history, a list where technique meets precision, and where every shot is a work of art.
However, some of them have become experts in the art of taking free-kicks, scoring at every opportunity.
Here is our ranking of the ten best free-kick takers in history:
10. Rogerio Ceni
Free kicks scored : 59
Rogerio Ceni spent his entire career with Brazilian club Sao Paulo FC, where he made over 1,200 appearances. Among the many trophies he won were 3 Brazilian league titles, 2 Copa Libertadores and 2 Intercontinental Cups. Having become a true legend at his club, Sao Paulo FC decided to no longer allocate the number 1 shirt as a tribute to his brilliant career.
Although it is unusual for a goalkeeper to take a free-kick, Rogerio Ceni is precise enough to make it worthwhile. With 132 goals, he has scored more than any other goalkeeper in the history of football. Ceni has even been called up to the national team on 17 occasions and has been a regular starter. In 2002, he won the World Cup with Brazil, well ahead of his team-mates.
9. Michel Platini
Free-kicks scored : 60
The French playmaker was certainly the greatest European footballer of the 80s. A true football legend and a talented player who scored some superb goals.
One of the most important aspects of Platini’s game was his extraordinary ability at set-pieces near the penalty area. With perfect delicacy and curve, the ball would curve over the wall and into the back of the net. It was simple, but so effective.
8. Siniša Mihajlovic
Free-kicks scored : 61
Mihajlovic is a controversial figure who has been sent off a number of times and has been involved in various situations and controversies. But when the ball was set up for him to take a free-kick, opposing defenders knew they were in trouble. He is undeniably one of the best free-kick takers of all time. An extremely aggressive defender, Mihajlo.
7. Zico
Free kicks scored : 62
There was a time when the talented Brazilian attacking midfielder Zico set the standard when it came to free-kicks. In addition to his exceptional vision of the game, his accurate passing and his efficiency in front of goal, he is one of the best free-kick takers of all time. It was he who set the standard and demonstrated how crucial they could be in the ever-changing game of the 70s and 80s.
6. Diego Maradona
Free-kicks scored : 62
One of football’s undisputed legends, Diego Maradona was not only a genius with the ball in the moving game, he also had a special touch when it came to free-kicks. His exceptional technical mastery, combined with his uncanny creativity, made him a formidable threat when standing behind the ball within shooting distance.
5. Lionel Messi
Free-kicks scored : 64
The first footballer to win the Ballon d’Or eight times, Lionel Messi is an undeniable phenomenon. Since 2008, the Argentinian has been Barcelona’s most crucial individual and has achieved some remarkable feats.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Free-kicks scored : 65
Cristiano Ronaldo is the model of the modern striker, combining power, speed and skill, not to mention accuracy. One of the Juventus man’s most formidable weapons is his ability to take free-kicks from less than 30 metres out. It’s one of the advantages that has also made him one of the top ten goalscorers of all time.
3. David Beckham
Free-kicks scored : 65
Known for his precise long passes, David Beckham was also an expert from set-pieces. Despite not being a very fast player, he was able to adjust thanks to his technical skills. The Englishman is undoubtedly one of the best free-kick takers of all time.
2. Ronaldinho
Free-kicks scored : 66
Ronaldinho is probably one of the greatest footballers of the late 90s and 2000s. One of the skills that made him famous, as well as his incredible dribbling ability, was his ability to score goals from direct free-kicks. Ronaldinho also features in our selection of the ten greatest dribblers of all time. Although his dribbling skills have gone down in history, the Brazilian player was also formidable from set-pieces.
1. Juninho
Free-kicks scored : 77
Say the name Juninho, and the first response will probably be: “Free-kicks”. He is the best and most versatile free-kick taker ever. His ability to send the ball into the air, spinning it in different directions before slotting it into the net, was extraordinary. Distance made little difference. Whether it was 20, 30 or 40 metres from goal, the shots were often of such purity, quality and power that the goalkeepers simply couldn’t do anything about them.
| Pos | Player | Free kick scored |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Juninho | 77 |
| 2. | Ronaldinho | 66 |
| 3. | David Beckham | 65 |
| 4. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 65 |
| 5. | Lionel Messi | 64 |
| 6. | Diego Maradona | 62 |
| 7. | Zico | 62 |
| 8. | Siniša Mihajlovic | 61 |
| 9. | Michel Platini | 60 |
| 10. | Rogerio Ceni | 59 |
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