Top 15 Footballers With Most Free Kick Goals in History: Where Messi and Ronaldo Rank
- Scoring directly from a free kick is among the most challenging feats in football
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo feature among the top scorers from the spot
- Sports Brief takes a look at the top 15 best players at scoring from the free kick
Over the decades, footballers have netted goals through diverse methods, including corners, long-range strikes spanning the pitch, and penalty kicks.
Yet, among these, free kicks stand out as particularly challenging, demanding a balance of power and precision, making it a rarity in the sport.
Taking a kick from the spot requires a combination of skill, technique, and cleverness to be executed successfully.
Source: Getty Images
A proficient free kick expert is an invaluable addition to any team, hence it's unsurprising that some players dedicate countless hours on the training field perfecting their abilities on the dead ball.
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Throughout the years, fans have been privileged to witness an array of exceptional takers of free kicks worldwide.
Top 15 best takers of free kicks
15. Andrea Pirlo - 46
The former midfield maestro of AC Milan and Juventus is widely revered as one of the greatest free kick takers in the annals of football history. His lethal precision from dead-ball situations can be attributed to his distinctive set of skills and techniques.
Pirlo was celebrated for his composure and ingenuity, solidifying his position as one of the sport's all-time midfield legends, per the BBC.
Throughout his illustrious career, he tirelessly pursued the art form. His quest led him to a revelation - the technique of striking the ball with just three toes instead of the conventional five.
This revelation granted him the ability to generate the essential 'whip', enabling him to expertly curl the ball towards the goal with utmost precision.
14. Michael Platini - 50
Platini stood tall as one of the era's greatest players, and his reputation as a lethal set piece taker was legendary in the 1980s, per Deutsche Welle.
Hailing from France and representing Juventus with distinction, his craft as a midfielder was unparalleled, particularly when it came to strategic free kick execution.
His innate talent allowed him to place the ball with pinpoint accuracy, leaving opponents guessing his next move.
Whether gracefully slotting the ball into the top corner or unleashing a powerful drive towards the goal, Platini's free kick prowess remained a constant marvel, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with anticipation.
13. Alessandro Del Piero - 52
Del Piero undoubtedly stands as one of the most gifted players in the storied history of Serie A and Italian football.
Throughout his illustrious career, he etched a remarkable record of 52 successful free kicks - a testament to his mastery in dead-ball situations.
As a formidable forward with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net, Del Piero's technique was a force to be reckoned with - predictable, yet virtually unstoppable.
His trademark high, curling strike had an extraordinary ability to dip sharply, rendering even the most adept goalkeepers helpless against the pinpoint accuracy of the Italian marksman.
12. Marcelinho Carioca - 59
Carioca was no stranger to off-field controversies, often finding himself in disputes with coaches. However, his true brilliance shone through on the pitch as a formidable free kick specialist.
From any position, whether near or far from the goal, he possessed an extraordinary range of skills. With remarkable precision, he could strike the ball with force or delicacy, infusing it with any desired trajectory.
It was Marcelinho's unparalleled mastery in dead-ball situations that earned him the revered nickname Pe-de-Anjo - translated as 'Angel Foot'.
11. Ronaldo Koeman - 60
Koeman's playing career was highlighted by his exceptional expertise as a free kick specialist. His iconic shot, which he delivered against Sampdoria in 1992 at Wembley, granted Barcelona their inaugural European Cup triumph.
As a remarkably versatile player, he garnered admiration for his impeccable penalty-taking abilities, long-range shots, and commanding free kicks.
He also defined his legacy to claim the record for the most goals scored by a defender in the history of soccer.
So impressive is Koeman's goal-scoring record that many midfielders - and even strikers - would not mind emulating the goal-scoring prowess of the Dutch legend.
10. Rogerio Ceni - 61
Regarded as one of Brazil's all-time greatest shot-stoppers, Ceni etched his name in football history by becoming the goalkeeper with the most goals scored.
He tallied up an astounding total of 131 goals from his career, with the majority originating from free kicks and penalties - and a single goal attributed to open play.
Ceni's exceptional skill lay in his uncanny ability to place the ball precisely where he desired. His free kicks were a masterclass in precision, frequently eluding the goalkeeper's grasp.
9. Zico - 62
Despite being credited with over 100 free kick goals throughout his career, only 62 of them were officially recognised.
Zico's technique was nothing short of tremendous, consistently guiding the ball into the top corner, well beyond the grasp of opposing goalkeepers.
His expertise in scoring from set pieces was particularly evident when the move was positioned close to the penalty area.
Zico had his trademark two-step run-up, setting himself up for a lethal strike that often found the back of the net with remarkable precision.
8. Diego Maradona - 62
While Maradona is predominantly celebrated for his mesmerising dribbles, intelligent passes, and all-encompassing play, he was also a deadly force whenever his team won a free kick in dangerous positions.
With his left foot, the Argentine legend possessed an almost magical command over dead balls, capable of executing a myriad of techniques.
Whether gracefully placing it into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, elegantly lifting it up and over the wall from 25 yards, or unleashing a thunderous strike around a wall from 30 yards, he was a master of them all.
Maradona's free kick prowess added another layer to his already illustrious football legacy.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo - 64
During his prime, Ronaldo showcased remarkable prowess in taking free kicks. His unique trademark pose when standing over the ball became synonymous with his technique.
The Portuguese captain's strikes were a sight to behold, delivering stunning pace and power when executed flawlessly, establishing him as one of the most formidable dead-ball takers of all time.
A testament to his prowess was when Sir Alex Ferguson praised Ronaldo's free kick against Portsmouth in 2008 as the best he had ever witnessed, speaking volumes about his abilities from set-piece situations.
His status as one of the greatest football players in history is firmly cemented. Even in recent times, he continues to showcase his brilliance, as seen in his last two free kick goals for Al-Nassr against Abha in the Saudi Pro League and against Liechtenstein in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Ronaldo's mastery of taking free kicks remains an integral part of his legendary football legacy.
6. Lionel Messi - 65
Messi's remarkable skill allows him to curl the ball with precision into either corner of the net, using his creativity and ingenuity to outsmart goalkeepers effortlessly. He stands tall as one of today's finest set-piece takers.
The Argentine captain possesses a natural talent for striking the ball cleanly, perfectly blending power and spin to craft a swerving or dipping trajectory that proves incredibly challenging for anyone to save.
His set pieces are a testament to his finesse and mastery of the game, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
In yet another extraordinary moment, he scored a great free kick in Argrentina's 1-0 win over Ecuador in the South American 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Buenos Aires.
5. David Beckham - 65
Renowned as one of the most iconic techniques in football, the former England captain's prowess from free kicks remains a topic of constant discussion.
The phrase 'Bend it like Beckham' has become immortalised in popular culture, frequently uttered by football commentators to describe such exquisite skill.
With his magical right foot, Beckham left an indelible mark, netting an impressive total of 65 free kicks throughout his illustrious playing career at club and national level.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid ability to bend the ball with grace and precision elevated him to a legendary status as one of the finest free kick takers in the history of the sport.
4. Victor Legrotaglie - 66
Legrotaglie may not be among the first three names one would remember if asked to mention Argentine legends, but he was truly a set piece genius.
He spent his entire professional career in the Argentine league and would score from dead balls situations with ease. Although he received offers from top clubs like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Real Madrid, he preferred to remain in his homeland until his retirement in 1074.
Surprisingly, Legrotaglie sits ahead of Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Messi as the most prolific Argentinean free kick taker of all time.
3. Ronaldinho - 66
Ronaldinho is widely considered as the standout player of the late 1990s and the 2000s. Among his array of incredible tricks and flicks was his proficiency in scoring from direct free kicks.
The Brazilian maestro possessed a rare talent for bending the ball with precision from set piece situations, with his ability to find the back of the net from direct attempts solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats.
From long-range dipping efforts to cleverly rolled shots under a jumping wall, Ronaldinho amassed an impressive tally of 66 goals from direct free kicks.
His proficiency in converting such opportunities showcased his exceptional skill and finesse - and his reputation as one of the most extraordinary dead-ball takers is deserved.
2. Pele - 70
The Brazilian football legend stands as a strong contender for the title of the greatest football player of all time. Among his myriad of talents, goal-scoring remains a shining aspect.
Having secured the prestigious FIFA World Cup title three times, he etched an extraordinary achievement by netting over 1,000 goals throughout his illustrious career.
Of these impressive numbers, an astounding 70 were scored from set pieces. Such a feat speaks volumes of his unmatched skills and legacy as one of the most prolific goal-scorers and revered free kick specialists in the history of the beautiful game.
1. Juninho Pernambucano - 77
When it comes to free kicks, Pernambucano stands unrivalled. The Brazilian midfielder mesmerised audiences with a series of sublime free kicks during his illustrious career.
Juninho played a vital part in Lyon's domination of French football in the early 2000s, leading them to seven Ligue 1 titles and delivering moments of sheer brilliance from set plays.
An astonishing 77 goals from set pieces were tucked under his belt, including an impressive four from distances exceeding 40 yards.
Juninho's outrageous scoring record has rightfully earned him the title of the free kick GOAT, solidifying his legacy as one of the most exceptional and iconic dead-ball takers in the history of the sport.
Comparing Messi's Miami free kicks
In related news, the veteran has scored seven goals in his first four matches for Inter Miami, leading the club to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup.
Messi's free kicks in MLS so far, from his last-minute curler against Cruz Azul to his important 85th-minute goal against FC Dallas.
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