Goals from perfectly executed free kicks give the fans a lot of pleasure.Its a great skill to have for a player and it requires loads of practice and patience on the training ground.Over the last decade we have been blessed to see some world class free kick takers, and we will look at the names who make it to the top 10.
#10 Yaya Toure
The Ivorian power house is at number 10 in our list.
A perfect box to box midfielder, Toure was instrumental in City winning the Premier league title in 2012 and again in 2014.
He was part of the historic Barcelona side that won 6 trophies in one calendar year, and recently he has been mesmerising the world with some breathtaking free kicks.
#9 Lionel Messi
Considering the fact that he became one of the world’s best players at such an young age, Messi was quite a late bloomer when it came to free kicks.
But over the last few seasons he has scored some sensational free kicks for both Barcelona and Argentina. His screamer against bitter rivals Real Madrid won’t be forgotten soon.
#8 Frank Lampard
So many free kicks in that legendary career, the only reason he is at number 8 is because of his conversion rate.
Chelsea’s all time leading goal scorer is also the only midfielder to have scored more than 150 goals in the Premier League. He has won 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA cups, a Champions League and an Europa League title in his distinguished career.
#7 Steven Gerrard
England captain Steven Gerrard makes the cut at number 7.
He has scored some terrific free kicks for the Reds over the years and is considered to be one of the finest players to have ever played for England.
He is the only player to have scored a goal in an FA cup final, in a League cup final, a UEFA cup final and a Champions League final.
#6 Andrea Pirlo
The Italian maestro is known all over the world for his incredible vision, but he is also a great free kick exponent.
Pirlo resurrected his career after moving to Juventus and in the process guided Italy to the finals of Euro 2012 which included a perfectly timed free kick against Croatia.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo
Right now the best footballer on the planet is ranked at 5 among the top 10 free kick takers over the last decade.
He has scored some stunners throughout his career and is still going strongly at Real Madrid. His free kick stance is a bit unique compared to the other players and the one he scored against Portsmouth while he was at United is still being talked about as one for the ages.
#4 David Beckham
“Bend it like Beckham”, the phrase came to be because of this great footballer. He played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe as he represented Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan and Paris Saint Germain.
He has scored some classic free kicks over the years, but the one he will be remembered for the most was when he sent England to the 2002 world cup by scoring a stunning free kick against Greece in the dying seconds of the game.
#3 Ronaldinho
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Ronaldinho had the ability to do literally anything on the pitch with the ball on his feet.
He won the World cup with Brazil in 2002 and had a terrific career with Barcelona. He is currently playing for the Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro.
#2 Roberto Carlos
At number 2, we have Roberto Carlos. This left wing-back and ex-Galactico is widely known for his tremendous pace, long throw-ins and not to forget, his trademark free-kicks.
Be it the banana-kick or through the wall, he can do it all. His free kick was once clocked at 105 miles per hour and the most famous of them all was the one he scored against France in 1997.
#1 Juninho Pernambucano
Considered by many as the greatest free kick specialist of all time, Juninho led Lyon to seven consecutive league titles before leaving them in 2009.
It is said that he had the ability to turn the ball’s direction twice in the air, and he finished his Lyon career with a free kick accuracy of 97% which is the highest for any player.
He retired on February 2, 2014 after his third and final stint with Vasco da Gama.
