Top 32 Greatest Free-Kick Specialists in Football History
Free-kick taking is a skill that blends precision, power, and creativity. This list highlights some of football's finest free-kick takers, from famous stars to less well-known masters of the set-piece.
32. Thierry Henry
Among the Premier League's all-time greats, Thierry Henry scored 226 goals for Arsenal, including 174 league strikes. Twelve of those came directly from free-kicks, showcasing his smooth technique and elegance.
31. Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos might not have had the highest free-kick conversion rate, but when he scored, it was often spectacular. His legendary 40-yard strike for Brazil against France in 1997 remains unforgettable.
30. Marcos Assuncao
Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao was known for his powerful shots. His set-piece expertise was key to Roma’s Serie A title in 2000/01.
29. Rivaldo
The Brazilian Rivaldo could do almost anything with the ball. His classy free-kick for Olympiacos against Liverpool in the Champions League left fans in awe.
28. Andreas Brehme
Andreas Brehme scored the winning penalty in the 1990 World Cup final but was also an excellent free-kick taker, uniquely using his right foot for free-kicks despite being left-footed for penalties.
27. Gheorghe Hagi
Romania’s greatest player, Gheorghe Hagi, netted many impressive free-kicks, including the winner in the 1986 European Super Cup.
26. James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse has earned praise from Pep Guardiola as possibly the best free-kick taker he has ever seen. Close to David Beckham’s Premier League record with 18 free-kick goals, his knuckleball technique is deadly.
25. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane was among the world’s elite players around 2000. His free-kicks against Spain (2000 Euros) and England (2004 Euros) were masterpieces.
24. Jose Luis Chilavert
Goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert scored 67 career goals and took free-kicks at two World Cups, nearly scoring on multiple occasions—an extraordinary feat for a keeper.
23. Michel Platini
Europe’s standout player in the 80s, Michel Platini won three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, aided by his expert free-kicks, including one in the Euro 1984 final.
22. Juan Roman Riquelme
Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme was a set-piece wizard, notably scoring twice from free-kicks in a 2007 World Cup qualifier versus Chile.
21. Teofilo Cubillas
Teofilo Cubillas was Peru’s finest player, blending creativity and free-kick prowess, including a memorable outside-of-the-foot strike at the 1978 World Cup.
20. Marcelinho Carioca
Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho Carioca may have scored close to 100 career free-kicks and even found the net from corners, emphasizing repetition and accuracy.
19. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered arguably the Premier League’s best free-kick for Manchester United in 2008. His knuckleball style and striking stance make every attempt memorable.
18. Juan Arango
Venezuela’s finest, Juan Arango, dazzled in Europe and scored 15 Bundesliga free-kicks, placing him among the top scorers from set-pieces in the league.
17. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo combined mesmerizing playmaking with free-kick brilliance, scoring 26 free-kick goals in Serie A and delivering precise assists.
16. Pierre van Hooijdonk
Tall striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was unusual in excelling at free-kicks, bending them with precision during Feyenoord’s successful UEFA Cup run in 2001/02.
15. Rogerio Ceni
Legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni scored 129 goals, including 59 free-kicks, making him the highest-scoring keeper ever.
14. Roberto Baggio
Italian icon Roberto Baggio, Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year winner, used a unique technique combining styles of Platini, Zico, and Maradona to score free-kicks.
13. Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola spent hours perfecting free-kicks with Diego Maradona, netting 12 Premier League free-kick goals, tying with Henry and Ronaldo.
12. Pele
Pele scored free-kicks across three World Cups, including a famous goal in 1966 and finished his career with a 30-yard dead-ball goal for New York Cosmos.
11. Didi
Brazilian legend Didi invented the "folha seca" (falling leaf) free-kick technique and scored many free-kicks, influencing generations of players.
10. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho was lethal from free-kicks, capable of firing under walls or delivering knuckleballs, passing on his skill to a young Lionel Messi.
9. David Beckham
David Beckham was England’s set-piece maestro, holding the Premier League record with 18 free-kick goals and famous for his last-minute equaliser against Greece.
8. Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero holds the Italian record with 52 free-kick goals. His signature was curling the ball over the wall, inspired by Platini’s style.
7. Shunsuke Nakamura
Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura gained iconic status at Celtic thanks largely to his superb free-kick ability, described as so precise it could "open a tin of beans."
6. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was more famous for open-play goals but was also an outstanding free-kick taker, shaping the styles of Pirlo and Zola.
5. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi may not be the top free-kick scorer but remains an artist in the craft, producing countless jaw-dropping goals like his strike against Liverpool in 2019.
4. Zico
Zico reportedly scored 101 free-kick goals. His unpredictable style, including leaning back and raising his knee, made him a nightmare for keepers.
3. Sinisa Mihajlovic
Defender Sinisa Mihajlovic set a Serie A record with 28 free-kick goals and famously scored a rare free-kick hat-trick for Lazio.
2. Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman had a powerful kick and was Barcelona’s main free-kick taker. His shot sealed their first European Cup win in 1992.
1. Juninho Pernambucano
The ultimate free-kick master, Juninho Pernambucano perfected the knuckleball, scoring from over 40 yards on several occasions, leaving goalkeepers helpless.
