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Taking direct free-kicks is an artform in itself. It is genuinely one of the most challenging skills to master, but on the other hand, the rewards on offer are most certainly worth it. What makes it all the more interesting is that it has nothing to do with the overall ability of a player.
A great football player isn't necessarily a great free-kick taker. The skillset required to take direct free-kicks — to get the ball to dip over the wall or to send it swerving viciously with the knuckleball technique — is distinctly different from the one that suits open play.
While there have been many such artists from dead-ball situations in the past, some players stand out and are synonymous with free-kick techniques and achievements using their unique skill.
Here, we take a look at the ten best free-kick takers of all time based on the number of goals scored from direct free-kicks.
#10 Marcelinho Carioca | Brazil | 59 goals
Another famed Brazilian on this list, Marcelinho Carioca was a creative midfielder who spent the entirety of his playing career in his homeland. Although he only won three caps for his country, Carioca went on to become one of the greatest-ever players in the Brazilian league.
The 49-year-old remains the most decorated player to have ever represented Corinthians, having amassed more trophies than anyone else in the club's history. Carioca scored a stunning 206 goals for the club in 420 appearances. He was also an incredibly gifted free-kick taker, so much so that he earned the nickname 'Pe-de-Anjo' which roughly translates to 'Angel Foot'. Carioca scored a total of 59 goals from direct free-kicks in his illustrious domestic career.
Arsenal ace David Luiz is just one among the generation of aspiring free-kick specialists inspired by Carioca. Speaking on the Corinthians great, Luiz said;
"I learned a lot watching clips of Juninho Pernambucano and Marcelinho Carioca – how they made the ball move and go in different directions, and how they make ball move quickly up and down."
#9 Rogerio Ceni | Brazil | 59 goals
One of the most fabled goalkeepers in football history, Rogerio Ceni holds the unique distinction of being the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the sport. The Brazilian legend scored a whopping 131 goals overall in his career, modernising the role of a keeper in the process. He played 1257 matches for Sao Paulo, a club record for appearances.
Many goalkeepers have tried to emulate the Brazilian and failed to reach even a tenth of Ceni's tally — such was the prowess of the Sao Paolo legend. Manchester City keeper Ederson opened up on how he looks up to his compatriot, saying;
"Rogerio Ceni has always been my inspiration. I began to attend [training when he was young] and started playing and after that I moved to the goal and from the moment that I started playing as a goalkeeper, I started following Rogerio Ceni. From that moment onwards, he became my inspiration and idol."
Out of Ceni's 131 goals, a staggering 59 of them came from direct free-kicks, and 71 came from penalties, and one come from open play.
#8 Ronald Koeman | Netherlands | 60 goals
Ronald Koeman has come to be known for a lot of things in his famed career. As a player, he carved out his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game and was part of Barcelona's 'Dream Team' under Johan Cruyff. As a manager, he is yet to taste success that is even comparable to what he achieved in his playing career.
Nonetheless, the recently-appointed Barcelona manager remains the greatest goalscoring defender in football history, having amassed an incredible 253 career goals. Koeman also had a habit of scoring important goals for his teams, as he scored an all-important winner in a 1-0 win the 1992 UCL final at Wembley to guide Barcelona to their first-ever European Cup/UCL title.
He replicated his achievements for all the teams he played for and held the record for most free-kicks scored by a Barcelona player in history until Lionel Messi came along. In total, 60 of Koeman's 253 goals came from direct free-kicks, a record for any defender to have graced the game.
Also read: 5 Best players signed by new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman
#7 Zico | Brazil | 62 goals
Considered to be one of the best players to have appeared in the 20th century, Zico is the third Brazilian on this list and is one of the Selecao's greatest players. Zico is arguably one of the most high-profile names to have never won the FIFA World Cup, having participated in three editions of it without a win.
The mystery of how the 1982 Brazil side never won the World Cup is one that perhaps will never be solved, and Zico was an integral part of this team. The diminutive South American, who was an attacking midfielder by trade, is Brazil's fourth-highest scorer with 48 goals in 71 appearances. The man fondly referred to as the 'White Pele' was a surreal dribbler of the ball with an eye for goal as well as a defence-splitting pass, making him one of the most complete players of any era of the sport.
Zico also had an incredible prowess when it came to free-kicks. The now-Kashima Antlers sporting director scored a whopping 62 goals from set-pieces, ranking him as one of the greatest free-kick takers of all time.
#6 Diego Maradona | Argentina | 62 goals
A player that needs little introduction, Diego Maradona is regarded as one of the best players to have set foot onto a football pitch. The Argentine is best known for his achievements in Mexico where he captained his country to the 1986 World Cup after some surreal performances which won him the Golden Ball.
His infamous 'Hand of God' moment is forever going to be one of the most controversial moments in the history of the sport, but that cannot take away from the fact that Maradona was simply a magnificent player. There is no more significant testament to that than the other goal he scored in the same game against England, where he dribbled over half the length of the pitch to score a goal. He also became the first player to shatter two world record fees as both Barcelona and Napoli had to pay a record transfer fee to land him at the time.
Apart from his well-documented ability as one of the greatest dribblers, passers, and playmakers ever, Maradonna was also lethal in dead-ball situations. The left-footed wizard scored a total of 62 goals from direct free-kicks in his career, which is the second-most by an Argentine player in football history. The 'El Pibe de Oro' was truly in a league of his own.
#5 David Beckham | England | 65 goals
One of the most well-decorated Englishmen of all time, David Beckham is a player who has transcended the sport itself. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend had the ability to change the course of the game in an instant with his pin-point deliveries into the box or, more famously, with his free-kicks.
The former winger etched his name into the history books with one of the most heroic strikes in English football. With just a handful of minutes left on the clock and the Three Lions needing a win or a draw at 2-1, Beckham whipped a venomous free-kick into the top corner to fire England through. His achievements were acknowledged as he finished second to Luis Figo in the race for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001.
Beckham, currently the owner of newly-established MLS franchise Inter Miami, scored a total of 65 goals from direct free-kicks in his career, which is the most by an Englishman in history. The treble-winning winger remains one of the Red Devils' finest ever academy products to date.
#4 Ronaldinho | Brazil | 66 goals
Ronaldinho is arguably one of the most skilful players to have ever played the game. The Brazilian icon was one of the most successful South American players of this generation, having helped his country to a World Cup title in 2002 and a Copa America in 1999. It is difficult to think of any one particular skill that Ronaldinho lacked in his arsenal. Rainbow flicks, no-look passes, elasticos, and so much more — the enigmatic attacker could do it all.
Naturally, for a player so talented, it doesn't come as a surprise that he was gifted at free-kicks as well. However, what may be surprising is the sheer number of goals he's scored from direct free-kicks. Over his illustrious career, Ronaldinho has found the back of the net from dead-ball situations on 66 occasions, making him one of the deadliest free-kick takers of all time.
Ronaldinho is also part of an exclusive list of eight players to have won the World Cup, UEFA Champions League/European Cup and the FIFA World Cup in their careers. Although he ended his career on a low, the Barcelona legend remains one of the greatest players of the 21st century.
Also read: 5 Most baffling transfers conducted by Barcelona
#3 Victor Legrottaglie | Argentina | 66 goals
![Argentine legend Victor Legrottaglie [Image credits: voxpopuli.net.ar]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2020/08/4b97a-15983633253051-800.jpg)
While he may be one of the lesser-known players on this list, Argentina's Victor Legrottaglie enjoyed one of the most successful domestic careers of his era between 1953 and 1974. He spent the entirety of his playing career in his homeland with Gimnasia y Esgrima, and never seeked a move away, despite reported interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Moving abroad for economic purposes wasn't considered to be an ideal option for many footballers at the time, although some such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer did so in the USA. New York Cosmos reportedly tried to recruit Legrottaglie, an offer that he declined.
The Argentine was renowned for his brilliant technique on the pitch, particularly when it came to set-pieces. Legrottaglie scored 66 direct free-kick goals in his career, making him the most prolific Argentine in history in this regard — over the likes of Diego Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Lionel Messi.
#2 Pele | Brazil | 70 goals
The name 'Pele' inevitably comes up whenever the greatest players, not just free-kick takers, of the sport are discussed. He played in an era that is now studied by sports historians as part of an epic generation of football, and his achievements are simply astonishing.
The Brazilian demi-god scored a breathtaking 757 official goals for club and country in 831 appearances over what was one of football's most celebrated careers. Pele played for over 20 years and has a list of accolades — both individual and for club and country — that make a very compelling case for him to be the greatest player of the sport. The now-79-year-old won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil, more than any player in history, and won his first one at 17 years and 249 days, which is another record.
The forward remains one of the most prolific players to have played the game and was incredibly talented when it came to free-kicks as well. Brazil's top scorer scored a breathtaking 70 goals from direct free-kicks throughout his career. Despite Pele's host of records, the one feat he couldn't achieve was becoming the most prolific Brazilian from free-kicks. That crown, unfortunately, belongs to another man.
#1 Juninho Pernambucano | Brazil | 77 goals
Juninho is regarded by ex-players, fans, and experts alike to be the greatest-ever free-kick taker in football history. The Brazilian came to be known for his mind-bending direct free-kicks that eventually became Juninho's trademark. After an illustrious spell in Brazil with Vasco de Gama, the midfielder joined Olympique Lyon in 2001, where he spent the most successful time of his career.
Juninho fired Lyon to a staggering seven successive league titles upon his arrival, establishing himself as the best set-piece taker in the world. After a couple of stints in the Middle East and the USA, Juninho ended his playing career in Brazil before returning to Lyon as the sporting director at the club. He appeared 40 times for his country, scoring six goals in the process.
The Les Gones legend scored 100 goals in 350 games for Lyon, and holds the record for the most number of goals scored from direct free-kicks. Juninho scored a total of 77 in his career, making him the most prolific player in history in this particular regard.
Whether it was a stunner from long range or a dipping effort from close range, the Brazilian has truly mastered the art of free-kicks, and inspired an entire generation of set-piece specialists.
One such player was one of the greatest midfield architects in modern times, Andrea Pirlo. In his autobiography 'I Think Therefore I Play', the Italian spoke specifically about how he was in awe of the Brazilian maestro, saying;
"During his time at Lyon, that man [Juninho] made the ball do some quite extraordinary things. He’d lay it on the ground, twist his body into a few strange shapes, take his run-up and score."
He continued,
"He never got it wrong. Never. I checked out his stats and realised it couldn’t just be chance. I studied him intently, collecting DVDs, even old photographs of games he’d played. And eventually I understood."
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