We all know that feeling. You’re watching a soccer match, and the ball is awarded to the team you’re rooting for just outside of the 18-yard box. It’s a great opportunity to score! But then, your heart sinks as you see the player step up to take the free kick… and you just know it’s going to be a disaster.
Some players can’t seem to get it right when it comes to taking free kicks, whether it’s because they don’t have the technique or because they lack the confidence. However, a few players out there have mastered the art of the free kick, and today we’re going to be counting down the top 15 players with the most free-kick goals.
A well-taken free kick can often distinguish between winning and losing a match. In the history of football, there have been some truly great free-kick takers who have provided their teams with some unforgettable moments.
Here are the top 16 free-kick scorers in football history:
15. Andrea Pirlo scored 46 Free Kick Goals
Arguably one of the best free-kick takers of his generation, Andrea Pirlo is a name that will be familiar to any football fan. The Italian playmaker spent most of his career at AC Milan, where he became renowned for his pinpoint accuracy from set pieces. Pirlo also had a habit of scoring some important goals; his free-kick against Japan in the 2006 World Cup was the winning goal that sent Italy through to the quarter-finals.
14. Michel Platini scored 50 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of French football, Michel Platini is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 50 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Juventus. Platini was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered one of his generation’s best players.
13. Alessandro Del Piero scored 52 Free Kick Goals
Another Juventus legend, Alessandro Del Piero, is considered to be one of the best Italian players of all time. He was a brilliant goalscorer from open play, but it was his free-kick taking that really set him apart from other players. Del Piero scored some truly incredible free-kicks during his career, including this wonder goal against Fiorentina in 2005.
12. Lionel Messi scored 58 Free Kick Goals
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, and it’s easy to see why when you look at his goalscoring record. The Argentine star scored an incredible 581 career goals, with 58 coming from free-kicks. Messi has a habit of scoring important goals from set-pieces, including this unforgettable free-kick against Liverpool in the Champions League.
11. Marcelinho Carioca scored 59 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of Brazilian football, Marcelinho Carioca is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 59 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Palmeiras. Carioca was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generation.
10. Ronald Koemanscored 60 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of Dutch football, Ronald Koeman is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 60 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Barcelona. Koeman was also a prolific goalscorer from open play, and is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generation.
9. Rogerio Ceni scored 61 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of Brazilian football, Rogerio Ceni is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 61 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Sao Paulo. Ceni was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generation.
8. Zico scored 62 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of Brazilian football, Zico is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 62 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Flamengo. Zico was also a prolific goalscorer from open play, and is widely considered to be one of the best players of his generation.
7. Diego Maradona scored 62 Free Kick Goals
A name familiar to any Argentine football fan, Diego Maradona is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 62 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Napoli. Maradona was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 65 Free Kick Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered to be one of the best players in the world, and it’s easy to see why when you look at his goalscoring record. The Portuguese star scored an incredible 580 career goals, with 65 coming from free-kicks. Ronaldo has a knack for scoring important goals from set-pieces, including this memorable free-kick against Barcelona in the Champions League.
5. David Beckham scored 65 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of English football, David Beckham is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 65 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Manchester United. Beckham was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered one of his generation’s best players.
4. Ronaldinho scored 66 Free Kick Goals
Ronaldinho is a Brazilian football legend who is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He is also one of the most prolific free kick takers in history, having scored 66 goals from direct free kicks during his career. Ronaldinho is known for his technique, accuracy, and power, which he used to great effect during his time at FC Barcelona and AC Milan.
3. Victor Legrotaglie scored 66 Free Kick Goals
A name familiar to any fan of Italian football, Victor Legrotaglie is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 66 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Juventus. Legrotaglie was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered one of his generation’s best players.
2. Pele scored 70 Free Kick Goals
A name that will be familiar to any fan of Brazilian football, Pele is a legend of the game. He scored an impressive 70 free-kicks during his career, including 9 in just one season for Santos. Pele was also a prolific goalscorer from open play and is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time.
1. Juninho Pernambucano – 77 Free Kick Goals
Who has the most free kick goals? The one and only free kick maestro Juninho Pernambucano was known for his ability to bend the ball, but he was also a master of the knuckleball. This technique, which he perfected, involved hitting the ball as hard as possible while trying to generate no spin. As a result, the ball would wobble in the air unpredictably, catching goalkeeper after goalkeeper out. In all, 77 keepers fell victim to Juninho’s knuckleballs over his 20-year career. For the sheer quality and quantity of his set pieces, he will be fondly remembered by fans around the world. There is no doubt that Juninho Pernambucano is the greatest free kick taker of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most free kick goals between Messi and Ronaldo?
In terms of free kick goals, Cristiano Ronaldo marginally beats to Lionel Messi with 65 goals to the Argentine’s 58. However, it should be noted that Messi has played significantly fewer games than Ronaldo, meaning that he has a better goal-per-game ratio from free kicks. Messi also holds the record for the most free kicks scored in a single season, having found the back of the net ten times from direct set-pieces in the 2011/12 campaign.
Who has the most free-kick goals in premier league history?
David Beckham holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Premier League history, having scored 46 times from direct set-pieces during his time with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Beckham was renowned for his exceptional crossing ability and dead-ball delivery, which resulted in him scoring many spectacular goals from free kicks. He also holds the record for the most free kicks scored in a single season, finding the back of the net on 27 occasions in the 2006/07 campaign.
What are the most free kicks scored in a row?
The freest kicks scored in succession is 12, a feat achieved by Juninho Pernambucano while playing for Brazilian side Vasco da Gama between 1997 and 2001. Juninho was known for his pinpoint accuracy and ability to curl the ball into the top corner from long range, making him a nightmare for goalkeepers.
How many free kicks has Messi scored in his career?
Lionel Messi has scored 58 free kicks during his illustrious career, making him one of the most prolific set-piece takers of all time. Messi is known for his exceptional technique and accuracy, which has resulted in him scoring some truly remarkable goals from direct free kicks. He also holds the record for the freest kicks scored in a single season, finding the back of the net ten times from direct set-pieces in the 2011/12 campaign.
Conclusion
Free kicks are always exciting to watch because they can often be game-changing moments. In the history of football, some great players have specialized in scoring goals from dead-ball situations. The list above features some of the best free-kick takers in history and includes players worldwide who have thrilled fans with their exceptional technique and accuracy.
