In the game of football scoring free-kick goals is an art that requires exceptional technique, precision, and psychological resilience to put the ball in goal beating the defensive wall and goalkeeper with the right amount of power and accuracy in the shot. Even though, it is given as an advantage to a team after conceding a foul during the match to restart the match. Yet, it isn’t easy to score a direct free-kick.
List of Top 10 Best free kick Takers in Football history
There are a few elite names, who have mastered the technique of scoring direct free-kick goals from the outside of the box and accumulating staggering amount goal tallys courtesy of their exquisite set-piece skills. In this article, we are going to explore the names of the top ten players with the Most Free Kick goals in the history of football.
| Rank | Player | Free kick goals | Nationality |
| 1 | Juninho Pernambucano | 77 | Brazil |
| 2 | Pele | 70 | Brazil |
| 3 | Victor Legrotaglie | 66 | Argentina |
| 4 | Ronaldinho | 66 | Brazil |
| 5 | David Beckham | 65 | England |
| 6 | Lionel Messi | 65 | Argentina |
| 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 64 | Portugal |
| 8 | Diego Maradona | 62 | Argentina |
| 9 | Zico | 62 | Brazil |
| 10 | Rogerio Ceni | 61 | Brazil |
10. Rogerio Ceni – 61
We have Rogerio Ceni— a goalkeeper is in tenth place in this list of players with the most free-kick goals in history. In football, keepers who score goals are not common phenomena, as their primary role is to guard the goal and prevent the opposition from scoring goals. However, Rogerio Ceni had defied these fundamentals of a shot-stopper. He has bagged 131 goals mostly through set pieces penalty and free-kick. While playing between the sticks during his entire career with the São Paulo football club, Ceni has netted 61 free-kick goals making one of the names among the most free-kick scorers in history.
9. Zico – 62
In ninth place, we have another Brazilian legend– Zico, an orthodox number 10 playmaker. He is hailed as one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time and currently stands fifth in the top goal-scoring charts for Seleção with 48 goals to his name in 71 national team caps. The former Brazilian International has scored 62 free-kick career goals using his superior set-piece technique vision and creative eye for goal. Once, Zico himself reflected on his ability to score from a distance stating, “It’s magic, because at that moment everybody is watching and waiting for you.”
8. Diego Maradona – 62
Diego Armando Maradona is eighth on the list tied with fellow South American icon Zico with 62 free-kick goals. One of the greatest Central Attacking Midfielders (CAM) of all time, apart from his insane dribbling and goal-scoring excellence. The Napoli Icon’s ability to find the top corner of the net or curl past the goalkeeper to put the ball at the back of the net is unmatched with his lethal left foot — a proven set-piece specialist in the true sense.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 64
The number seven is associated with only one man, Cristiano Ronaldo however, it’s not only his iconic jersey number but also the rank he holds on this elite list of players with the most goals courtesy of free kicks. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon stacked 63 goals from free-kicks among his substantial tally of nearly 900 goals — which makes him the world’s all-time top goal scorer. Al-Nassr star is still able to pull strings at top level and continues to convert his chances through set-pieces. Thus, there’s plenty of scope for him to climb this list
6. Lionel Messi – 65
The Argentine superstar Lionel Messi overtakes his Portuguese counterpart with a two-goal margin on this list to seal the 6th position. Messi is undeniably one the most mesmerising set-piece takers in modern football, his left-footed curling shot from the spots hit with perfect power and placement never fails to beat the tall defensive wall and the keeper with ease. The former Barcelona legend has bagged 65 free-kick goals mastering the art of scoring through set-pieces over the course of his glorious trophy-laden career.
Also Read: List of Top 10 Players With Most Assists In Soccer History
5. David Beckham – 65
The English footballing star David Beckham is widely remembered with the phrase ‘Bend it like Beckham’ a testament to his free-kick specialty. Beckham is considered as the most elegant and stylish midfielder in the history. He has played for some of the biggest football clubs on the planet such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain. The Englishman had a phenomenal conversion rate and his bending free-kick shot towards the goal was something of a nightmare for goalkeepers.
4. Ronaldinho – 66
It’s the most unsurprising fact that this list is dominated by Brazilian superstars, as their footballing technical brilliance comes naturally. Ronaldinho Gaúcho is often recalled by the fans for his legacy with Barcelona and AC Milan while also being part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning team in Japan. He was a versatile forward with superb dribbling skills, a pace full of trickery and flair with the ball is something that can’t be matched. When it comes to free-kick goals he was equally gifted netting a total of 66 free-kick goals in his entire career.
3. Victor Legrotaglie – 66
Victor Legrotagile might be the most unpopular name on this list among the modern-day superstar players who have majorly played in Europe for top clubs. He had spent nearly 21 years of his professional career in Argentina, most with Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, and enjoyed a successful domestic career from the 1950s to 70. The Argentine legend was renowned for his set-piece technique and Deadball scoring 66 direct free-kick goals during his career even surpassing the likes of Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi on the list.
2. Pele – 70
Last but not least Brazilian legend Pele is world-famous for his impeccable dribbling, prolific goal-scoring, and playmaking skills. The forward ranks among the highest goal scorers and assists providers in the history of football. His proficiency in set-pieces is another remarkable feat of his unparalleled career, as he has scored 70 free-kick goals throughout his career. Hence, taking the second place in this esteemed ranking of best free-kick takers of all time.
1. Juninho Pernambucano – 77
We have now come down to the first place and it is former Middlesbrough icon Juninho Pernambucano crowning the title of scoring the most free-kick goals of all time. The Brazilian midfielder has achieved an unprecedented tally of 77 goals courtesy of direct set-pieces. Juninho’s swerving and dipping strikes were totally class apart like no other player can replicate his excellence. Moreover, he had mastered the technique of knuckleball method to shoot the ball with immense power and managed to land his shot on targets from close or long ranges.
FAQ
Q. Which defender has the most free-kick goals in Football?
Dutch defender and Barca legend, Ronald Koeman is the defender with the most free-kicks scoring 60 goals in total.
Q. What’s the difference between Direct & Indirect Free Kick?
In direct free kicks, the player can directly score the goals while in indirect kicks the ball must have a touch from another player before attempting to score.
Q. Who has the most Free-kick goals in soccer?
Juninho Pernambucano has the most number of free-kick goals in soccer with 77 career goals.
Q. How many Free-kicks does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 63 goals through free-kick set-pieces so far in his entire career.
Q. How many free-kick goals does messi have?
Lionel Messi has 65 free-kick goals in his career so far.