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#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
