TOP 20 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time

Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time: Free kicks are moments when a player gets to take a shot without any defenders blocking them, aiming to curve the ball into the net. This skill combines technique, precision, and power. Over the years, some players have mastered free kicks, becoming famous for it.

Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time

In this article, we will look at the careers of some of the best free-kick takers ever, discussing their techniques, achievements, and the impact they’ve had on football.

20. Steven Gerrard

• Date of Birth: 30 May 1980
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 17

Steven Gerrard was a legendary Liverpool player. He was an outstanding player with strong skills, scoring 17 free-kick goals.

He spent most of his career at Liverpool, winning the Champions League, UEFA Cup, and League Cups.

He was known for his talent and finished third in the Golden Ball voting in 2005. After Liverpool, he played for LA Galaxy in MLS.

19. Neymar Junior

• Date of Birth: 5 February 1992
• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Position(s): Forward
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 19

Neymar Junior is a talented footballer loved by fans worldwide. He is skilled in all areas of the game, especially in free kicks, scoring over 19 in his career.

One of his best free kicks was during a Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, scoring the fourth goal.

18. Miralem Pjanić

• Date of Birth: 2 April 1990
• Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 26

Pjanić is a great free-kick taker, scoring 26 free-kick goals in his career. He has similar skills in bending the ball to the Brazilian legend. He might have scored more, but he faced competition from other skilled players.

He first gained attention at FC Metz before moving to Lyon, where he showed his talent in free kicks and as a midfielder.

Pjanić later played for AS Roma, Juventus, and FC Barcelona, making a strong impact with his vision and powerful strikes, consistently contributing to his teams.

17. Hakan Calhanoglu

• Date of Birth: 8 February 1994
• Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 26

Hakan Calhanoglu is well renowned as a free kick specialist, known for being effective from a multitude of angles and distances. He has scored 17 free kick goals in his career.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu began his career at Karlsruher SC in 2010, then moved to Hamburger SV in 2012 and returned to Karlsruher SC on loan for a season.

His performance in his first Bundesliga season earned him a €14.5 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in 2014. He played for three seasons there, totaling 28 goals in 115 official appearances.

16. Shunsuke Nakamura

• Date of Birth: 24 June 1978
• Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 30

The Japanese attacking midfielder is a skilled set-piece specialist, known for his powerful and accurate free kicks.

In 2000, Shunsuke scored a stunning goal against a Scottish team and repeated a similar feat against France in the 2003 Confederations Cup. Over his 20-year career, he scored 30 free-kick goals.

He started his career in Japan before playing for clubs like Celtic Glasgow, Reggina Calcio, and Espanyol Barcelona. He later returned to Japan to finish his career.

Shunsuke’s achievements include two Asian Nations Cups, three Scottish Championships, a Scottish Cup, and a Japanese Football League title.

15. Andrea Pirlo

• Date of Birth: 19 May 1979
• Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 30

Andrea Pirlo is known for his skill in creating plays and linking defense with attack. He was also famous for his free kicks, scoring 30 free-kick goals in his career.

Pirlo’s leadership helped AC Milan win the UEFA Champions League twice. After retiring, he moved into coaching and became the coach of Juventus in 2020.

He won the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup but was eventually dismissed after some disappointing results.

14. Roberto Carlos

• Date of Birth: 10 April 1973
• Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
• Position(s): Left-back
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 35

Roberto Carlos is considered one of the greatest full-backs in football history. He was known for his strength and speed. He scored 35 free-kick goals in his career, with his famous goal against France in 1997 standing out.

He gained fame at SE Palmeiras, winning the Brazilian championship twice. He then played for Inter Milan and spent 11 seasons at Real Madrid, winning four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles.

Roberto Carlos also played a key role in the Brazilian national team, helping them win the Copa America and the World Cup in 2002. He earned 125 caps and scored 11 goals for Brazil.

13. Alessandro Del Piero

• Date of Birth: 9 November 1974
• Height: 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Position(s): Forward
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 40

Alessandro Del Piero was a talented Italian football player known for his graceful playing style and skill on the field. He was an excellent free-kick taker, scoring 40 free-kick goals in his career.

During his time with Juventus, he won many important trophies, including the World Cup, Italian Championship, and Champions League.

After Juventus, Del Piero played briefly for Sydney FC in Australia and Delhi Dynamos.

12. Ronald Koeman

• Date of Birth: 21 March 1963
• Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
• Position(s): Defender / Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 60

Ronald Koeman is considered one of the greatest free-kick takers in football history. He scores 60 free-kick goals during his career. He had a unique technique, using a long run-up to strike the ball with both power and curve, often finding the top corner of the net.

His free-kick skills helped Barcelona win the European Cup in 1992. Besides being a great set-piece specialist, Koeman was also a solid defender. He scored a total of 238 goals, including his 60 free-kick goals.

Throughout his career, he played for top clubs Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona, winning many trophies, including the Champions League with Barcelona in 1992 and the Euro 1988 championship with the Netherlands.

11. Michael Platini

• Date of Birth: 21 June 1955
• Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 60

Michel Platini is considered the greatest European footballer of the 1980s. He was known for his incredible skill and scored 60 free kicks in his career with a perfect touch and curve.

Platini started at AS Nancy, winning the D2 championship and Coupe de France in 1987. After Saint-Etienne, he moved to Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles and the Champions League in 1985, becoming the top scorer with 7 goals.

He was also a star for the French national team, reaching the World Cup semi-finals twice and winning the Euro 1984 championship.

Platini is the second-highest scorer in French history, with 41 goals in 72 games, and is regarded as one of the best free-kick takers ever.

10. Zico

• Date of Birth: 3 March 1953
• Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 62

Zico was a top free-kick taker in the 1970s and 1980s. He was Known for his vision, passing, and goal-scoring skills. He is considered one of the best in football history.

He spent 18 seasons at Flamengo, scoring over 500 goals in 731 games, including many from free kicks. He won the Brazilian championship four times and the Copa Libertadores in 1981, when Flamengo beat Liverpool.

For the national team, Zico scored 52 goals in 72 games, with several from free kicks. He is recognized as one of Brazil’s top ten players ever, with a total of 62 free-kick goals in his career.

9. Diego Maradona

• Date of Birth: 30 October 1960
• Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder, second striker
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 62

Diego Maradona is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time and was also excellent at taking free kicks. He scored an impressive 62 goals from free kicks, using his skill to curve and swerve the ball, making it tough for goalkeepers.

One of his most famous free-kick goals came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals against England. With the score at 2-2, Maradona took a powerful shot from 30 yards, sending the ball into the top corner. This goal was later called the “Goal of the Century” by FIFA. It’s also known as the “Hand of God” goal because Maradona used his hand to score earlier in the match, which the referee missed.

Maradona was also skilled at the knuckleball free-kick technique, where the ball doesn’t spin, making it hard for goalkeepers to predict its path. He scored several goals using this method, including one against Napoli in 1989.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Date of Birth: 5 February 1985
• Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
• Position(s): Forward
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 64

Cristiano Ronaldo is a top modern striker known for his strength, speed, and finishing skills. He excels at taking free kicks from distances under 30 meters, contributing to his record as the top scorer in football history.

Ronaldo began his career at Sporting Portugal and has since played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and currently Al Nassr. He has won Many trophies, including three Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and five Champions League titles. His free-kick record includes 13 for Manchester United, one for Juventus, and 32 for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 and the Nations League, scoring 129 goals in over 212 appearances, with 10 from free kicks. In total, he has scored 64 direct free-kick goals and holds the record for the most free-kick goals in the Champions League with 12.

Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the top free-kick takers in football history.

7. David Beckham

• Date of Birth: 2 May 1975
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 65

David Beckham is renowned for his exceptional long-range passing and is considered one of the greatest free-kick specialists in football history, scoring 65 free-kick goals throughout his career.

He is best known for his time at Manchester United and Real Madrid, where he showcased his precise passing skills.

Beckham won the English League title six times and lifted the Champions League trophy with Manchester United. He also found success in La Liga with Real Madrid and later played for the Los Angeles Galaxy, with brief stints at AC Milan and PSG.

For England Beckham earned 115 caps and scored 17 goals. He consistently delivered crucial performances, notably scoring a memorable free-kick to equalize against Greece, helping secure England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

6. Ronaldinho

• Date of Birth: 21 March 1980
• Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder, winger
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 66

Ronaldinho was one of the greatest football players from the late 90s and 2000s. He was famous for his dribbling skills and free-kick ability. He scored 66 free-kick goals in his career.

He started at Grêmio, then joined PSG, where he gained fame. Ronaldinho had his best years at FC Barcelona, winning two Spanish league titles and the Champions League in 2006. He later played for AC Milan and finished his career in Brazil.

Ronaldinho won the Copa America in 1999 and the World Cup in 2002. One of his most famous free-kick goals was against England in the 2002 World Cup, where he scored from 40 yards.

5. Siniša Mihajlović

• Date of Birth: 20 February 1969
• Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
• Position(s): Defender
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 66

Sinisa Mihajlovic is known for his powerful free-kick skills and is considered one of the best free-kick takers in football history, scoring 66 free-kick goals throughout his career.

Starting at Vojvodina Novi Sad, he won the Yugoslav championship before moving to Red Star Belgrade, where he won the Yugoslav championship twice and the Champions League in 1991.

Mihajlovic later played for AS Roma, Sampdoria, and Lazio, winning the Serie A title and the Italian Cup with Lazio. Notably, he scored a hat-trick of free kicks in one game against Sampdoria and holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Serie A with 45.

He represented Yugoslavia in 62 matches, scoring 10 goals and participating in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Mihajlovic was also involved in various controversies during his career, including receiving multiple red cards.

4. Victor Legrotaglie

• Date of Birth: 29 May 1937
• Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
• Position(s): Midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 66

Víctor Legrotaglie is considered as one of the greatest free-kick takers in football history, scoring 66 free-kick goals, the 2nd most by any Argentine player. He dedicated his entire career to Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, turning down an offer from Real Madrid in the 1960s.

Legrotaglie was known for his powerful left-footed shots and exceptional accuracy, effortlessly curving the ball around defensive walls into the net. His free-kick skills were instrumental in helping Gimnasia y Esgrima win the Argentine Primera División in 1962.

Legrotaglie played for Argentina 20 times, scoring 12 goals. He was part of the national team that won the Copa América in 1957 and 1959. His legacy in Argentine football, especially his free-kick skills, continues to inspire aspiring players today.

3. Lionel Messi

• Date of Birth: 24 June 1987
• Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
• Position(s): Forward
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 66

Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest football players ever. He has won eight Ballon d’Or awards and holds records for the most trophies in professional football, including 46 team titles such as 12 league championships, four UEFA Champions Leagues, and one FIFA World Cup.

Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi joined FC Barcelona at 13, making his debut at 17. He became the club’s all-time top scorer, winning 34 trophies during his time there before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and later to Inter Miami in 2023.

For Argentina, Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. He won the FIFA World Youth Championship and Olympic gold, led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, and won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. In 2022, he helped Argentina win the World Cup and received the Golden Ball award. He has scored 66 free-kick goals in his career.

2. Pelé

• Date of Birth: 23 October 1940
• Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
• Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 70

Pelé is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time and was also an outstanding free-kick taker, scoring over 70 free-kick goals during his career, ranking him second on the all-time list.

He had a natural talent for free kicks, known for his powerful shots and ability to curve the ball around defensive walls with remarkable accuracy. This skill significantly contributed to his teams’ successes, including helping Santos win the Copa Libertadores in 1962 and 1963 and playing a pivotal role in Brazil’s World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

Beyond his free-kick skills, Pelé is celebrated as one of the finest players of the 20th century, achieving global fame through his accomplishments with Santos and the Brazilian national team. Winning three World Cups remains his most significant achievement.

1. Juninho Pernambucano

• Date of Birth: 30 January 1975
• Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Position(s): Attacking midfielder
• No. of Free Kicks Scored: 77

Juninho is considered the greatest free-kick taker in football history. He was Known for his incredible ability to curve the ball.

He started his career at Sport do Recife, then moved to Vasco De Gama, winning two Brazilian championships and the Copa Libertadores. At Lyon (2002-2008), he became famous for his free-kick skills, scoring 44 of his 100 goals from free kicks and helping the team win seven consecutive French titles.

Juninho scored a total of 77 career goals and represented Brazil in 40 matches, winning the Confederations Cup in 2005. He holds the record for the most free-kick goals in football history.