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Real Madrid fans have had the good fortune of seeing some remarkable footballers since the start of the century. They have had generational goalscorers, iconic defenders and legendary goalkeepers, all of whom have helped the club soar higher than ever.
Real Madrid have also been very effective from set-pieces, scoring crucial goals that have led to historic triumphs. Today, we will be taking a look at five dead-ball specialists - players who have stepped up in clutch situations time and again.
Now, without further ado, let us check out the five best set-piece takers from Real Madrid this century.
Special mention: Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Mesut Ozil
#5 Luis Figo
Real Madrid completed the controversial signing of Luis Figo from Barcelona in the summer of 2000. The Portugal international was arguably the best in the world at the time and eventually won the Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid. In the Spanish capital, he immediately became one of the first names on the team sheet and was tasked with set-piece duty.
Figo not only took free-kicks and penalties, but was also an adept corner-taker. His deliveries were difficult to track for the opposition, which allowed his teammates to get into dangerous positions.
On 23rd November 2002, a pig’s head was hurled at Figo by an angry Barcelona supporter while Figo went to take a corner. The object missed him, fortunately, but the incident has gone down as one of the lowest points of the rivalry.
Figo converted 31 penalties and scored seven direct free-kicks in 245 games for Los Blancos.
#4 David Beckham
When it comes to set-piece proficiency, there is hardly anyone more iconic than the great David Beckham. Signed from Manchester United in 2003, David Beckham’s move to Real Madrid brought a lot of hope to the Spanish club. One of the most popular pieces of the Galactico lineup, Beckham was at Real Madrid for four seasons, netting 20 goals and providing 51 assists.
Between 2003 and 2007, Beckham was the club’s first-choice free-kick and corner taker. He could swing the ball both ways and dip the ball with unmatched precision. Beckham’s direct free-kicks used to have the perfect blend of swerve and power, which helped him clinch some decisive goals along the way.
In his Real Madrid career, Beckham scored from 11 free-kicks, which proved to be decisive in four La Liga matches.
#3 Toni Kroos
They say “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Real Madrid central midfielder Toni Kroos seems to live by that mantra. He does not rely on flashy skill moves or tries outrageous passes. Instead, he passes the ball around with unmatched precision, setting the tempo as he sees fit.
The German international signed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2014 from Bayern Munich and was an integral part of Real Madrid’s record-breaking Champions League three-peat. Thanks to his ability to pick out his teammates, he has been Real Madrid’s primary set-piece taker for the last seven years.
His corners are generally flat with a dash of curl, perfect for anyone who loves attacking the ball inside the area. Kroos formed a telepathic connection with his captain Sergio Ramos in 2016-17, helping the Spaniard score multiple last-gasp winners for Real Madrid.
Kroos is also quite a capable free-kick taker and scored the winner in the second Clasico of the 2020-21 La Liga season.
#2 Roberto Carlos
Real Madrid have always had a special, soft corner for attack-minded defenders. And Roberto Carlos, who played at the club between 1996 and 2007, was a left-back with the soul of a centre-forward.
It did not take much time for Los Blancos to fall in love with the Brazilian. His blistering pace down the left-hand channel, immeasurable stamina, and inhuman shooting ability made him one of a kind.
Thanks to his knack for long-range shooting and shot power, Carlos got himself promoted as a regular set-piece taker for Real Madrid. Over the course of his Real Madrid career, Carlos scored from 23 free-kick goals, which proved to be decisive in four La Liga matches.
Roberto Carlos’s successor, Marcelo is also a flamboyant player, but he never quite got around to mastering the art of set pieces.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo has been the club's most influential set-piece taker in the 21st century. Not only was Ronaldo the Spanish giants' primary penalty taker for nine years, but the Portuguese was also their main free-kick taker.
Ronaldo’s free-kicks became infamously inconsistent down the road, but Real Madrid were lucky to see him score some screamers in his early days.
Ronaldo, who scored 451 goals for Real Madrid in 438 games, netted 32 direct free-kicks, with 12 of those being decisive strikes. Ronaldo was eerily dependable from penalties, scoring 79 penalties in nine seasons at Real Madrid.
