9 players who scored more free kicks than Messi and Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are unarguably two of the greatest players of all time, having rewritten the records books and changed football as we know it.

Goals, assists, dribbles and major trophies, the duo has seemingly done it all and topping their achievements would be next to impossible for future generations to come.

What makes their legend all the more spectacular is their consistency in doing so for so long, having been at the top of their games for the best part of the last 15 years.

Given their monstrous levels of performance, it stands to reason that the pair is among the best free kick takers of all time, making that most difficult of things - lifting a deadball over a wall and into the back of the net look like easy pickings.

With 51 direct free kicks scored, Cristiano Ronaldo is the more lethal of the pair, but it must be remembered that he had almost a six-year headstart on Lionel Messi who only fully took over set piece duties at Barcelona following the departure of Xavi.

The Argentine has, however, upped his game to incredible standards in recent years, scoring free kicks at will and causing a shiver to run down opposition defenses' spines whenever he lines up over a dead ball.

The 31-year-old has scored a total of nine free kicks this season to bring his career total to 43, while he scored nine direct free kicks in 2018 which was more than what any team managed across Europe's top five leagues.

Both men's dominance in football has been so utter that they find themselves top of almost every list imaginable (the good ones that is) imaginable. However, Messi's 43 and Ronaldo's 51 direct free kick goals scored pale in comparison to some of the most legendary free kick takers in history.

In this piece, we shall be taking a look at nine players who scored more direct free kicks than the eternal duo.

Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings

#9 Rogerio Ceni - 59 goals

Sao Paulo v Flamengo - Brasileirao Series A 2014

Rogerio Ceni is a bonafide Sao Paulo legend, having represented the club a massive 1,257 times, while he also won 16 caps for the Brazilian national team.

Ceni made a name for himself with his set piece abilities, distinguishing himself as one of the most lethal free kick takers of all time, while he remains the highest scoring goalkeeper in history till date with 131 goals of which 59 were direct freekicks.

He was, however, not just good with the ball at his feet, as he was also very proficient at shotstopping and is widely considered to be one of the greatest Brazilian goalkeepers of all time.

#8 Ronald Koeman - 60 goals

Even though younger fans might be more accustomed to seeing Ronald Koeman on the bench as a manager, older fans of the game remember 'the blonde arrow' as one of the greatest defenders to grace a football field.

During his heyday, Ronald Koeman was a superb defender, capable with the ball at his feet and till date remains the highest scoring defender of all time with 253 official goals (more than some strikers manage in their career) of which 60 came from direct free kicks.

He represented some of the best clubs in the world during his prime including Ajax, PSV and Barcelona, captaining the latter to their first ever European Cup in 1992 (scoring the winning goal off what else but a free kick)..

#7 Zico - 62 goals

In the eyes of many, the most naturally talented Brazilian player of all time, Zico exhibited poise, finesse and wonderful technique during his playing days.

Having started his career in his native Brazil, Zico courted worldwide attention with his displays for the Samba Boys at the 1982 World Cup and prompted a transfer to Italian side Udinese.

He took his free kick specialty with him to the Serie A and they were so deadly that television stations constantly debated on the best way to stop them (to limited effect).

In total, 'the white Pele' scored a total of 62 direct free kicks and is undoubtedly one of the most accurate free kick takers in history.

#6 Diego Maradona - 62 goals

While Diego Maradona might be more famous as the scorer of the 'goal of the century' and the 'hand of God' incident, his controversies take nothing away from the fact that he remains one of the very best to have graced a football field.

Close control, wonderful technique and great vision, Maradona was the precursor to Lionel Messi and they bear similarities in more ways than one, from their body build and stature to playing pattern.

In total, Maradona scored 344 goals throughout his illustrious career, of which 62 were scored from direct free kicks.

#5 David Beckham - 65 goals

The modern day poster boy of British football, David Beckham courted world attention and press coverage due to his boyish good looks, charismatic charm and marriage to former spice girl 'Posh'.

However, all these should take nothing away from the fact that he was an extremely wonderful footballer in his own right and was voted runner up in the 1999 Ballon d'Or as well as 2001 FIFA World Best Player awards.

Beckham made a name for himself with his trademark crossing and set piece accuracy and nowhere was this more evident than in the fact that it gave birth to a movie 'Bend it like Beckham' based on his dipping 'banana curve' free kicks.

He established himself as a bonafide global superstar at Manchester United and went on to represent Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG and Los Angeles before retiring. Upon retirement, he started his own football club in addition to numerous other businesses which he operates.

#4 Victor Legrotaglie - 66 goals

The one name on this list you most likely would not have heard of - Victor Legrotaglie was an Argentine forward who made a name for himself in the 1960s and 1970s with his displays in the Argentine national league.

He represented numerous clubs in Argentina with distinction and reportedly turned down chances to move to Europe, with Real Madrid and Inter seeking his services.

In total, Legrotaglie scored 66 direct free kicks and they are enough to place him fourth on the list of highest scoring free kick takers.

#3 Ronaldinho - 66 goals

Undoubtedly the best player in the world in the middle of the last decade, Ronaldinho laid the groundwork for all of the successes enjoyed by Barcelona today.

Ever smiling but deadly on the field, Ronaldinho wowed fans around the world with his array of tricks and flicks and was voted as the best player in the world in 2004 and 2005 while he was also the first person in history to have 1 million views on his video on the-then newly-formed YouTube.

Ronaldinho was also loved by all and sundry and was only the second Barcelona player in history to receive a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, while he was also deadly accurate from setpieces, scoring 66 goals across different continents.

#2 Pele - 70 goals

Soccer Legend Pele Visits Olympic Stadium In Barcelona

Pele is widely considered by a lot of fans, pundits and FIFA themselves to be the greatest player in history and the Brazilian legend does have the stats to back this up.

He came to worldwide prominence with his displays at the 1958 World Cup, where at just 18, Pele wowed global audiences by helping the South American nation to her first ever World Cup triumph and he did not look back since then.

In total, Pele scored over 1,000 goals (although only 757 are considered official) and 70 of these came off direct free kicks.

#1 Juninho - 77 goals

Juninho is the greatest free kick taker in history, having scored a whopping 77 goals directly from free kicks throughout the course of his career,

He made a name for himself at Olympique Lyon where he spent eight seasons, winning seven Ligue 1 titles consecutively and also represented some other clubs including Vasco da Gama and New York Red Bulls.

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee