List of top 10 most free kick goals in football history

Free kicks in football are always one of the most exciting and attractive situations, which can change the game in just a moment. Scoring a goal from a free kick is not easy, because it requires a perfect combination of technique, strength and the ability to read the situation. In football history, some players have stood out with their excellent free kick performance and have become legends thanks to the number of goals scored from these free kicks. This article Kingsoccertips.com will review the most free kick goals in football history, those who have made impressive achievements from free kicks.

Top 10 most free kick goals in football history

10. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Number of successful free kicks: 60

Cristiano Ronaldo used to be a nightmare for opposing goalkeepers every time he stepped up to take free kicks. With a powerful kick and unpredictable trajectory, he has scored many beautiful goals from free kicks, affirming his all-round talent. During his peak, Ronaldo’s free kicks were not only a powerful weapon for the team but also a constant fear for the opposing defense. However, later on, knee injuries somewhat affected his free kick ability. However, Ronaldo still maintained the trust of his teammates and was often assigned the responsibility of taking important free kicks.

Although he is no longer in his prime, Ronaldo still demonstrated his free kick ability in 2023. He has scored two goals from free kicks, once for Al Nassr Club and once for the national team. These goals not only show his technique and courage but also prove that Ronaldo always knows how to shine in decisive moments, regardless of age or physical difficulties.

9. Rogerio Ceni

• Number of free kicks scored: 61

Rogerio Ceni is the only name on the list of excellent goal scorers who played as a goalkeeper. He stood out thanks to his impressive free kick ability, many times helping his team overcome difficulties with important goals from direct free kicks. Not only that, Ceni is also a reliable choice on the penalty spot, often successfully executing important shots, bringing advantages to the team.

When he retired in 2015, Rogerio Ceni had scored a total of 131 goals in his career, a number that no goalkeeper in the history of world football has reached. This extraordinary achievement not only put him in the record books but also affirmed his unique position in the football world, both a talented goalkeeper and a formidable goalscorer.

8. Zico

• Number of free kicks scored: 62

The legendary Zico is not only known as one of the best players in Brazilian football, but also a world-class free kick specialist. Throughout his career, he is said to have scored more than 100 goals from the free kick spot. However, only 62 of those goals are officially recognized because they were scored in matches in the professional competition system. However, this number is still enough to affirm that Zico is one of the most effective and fearsome free kick takers in football history.

Zico especially favors free kicks from close range to the penalty area, where he can show off his superior technical ability. His shots are often aimed at the top corner of the goal, beyond the reach of the opposing goalkeeper. This style not only brings maximum efficiency but also leaves a deep impression, creating Zico’s brand in the hearts of football fans.

7. Diego Maradona

• Number of free kicks scored: 62

Diego Maradona is widely known for his superb dribbling ability and creative passes that tear apart opposing defenses. However, another aspect that is equally special but less noticed is his excellent free kick skills. During his career, the “Golden Boy” scored 62 goals from free kicks in official matches, an impressive number for any player, especially an attacking midfielder like Maradona.

Maradona’s free kick skills were not only based on strength but also highly artistic and effective. He could execute technical curling shots into the top corner of the goal, leaving the goalkeeper helpless, or unleash powerful free kicks that went over the wall. This diversity helps Maradona always be a big threat from set pieces, affirming his position as not only an all-round player but also a true dead ball specialist.

6. Lionel Messi

• Number of free kicks scored: 63

In the early stages of his career, Lionel Messi was not highly regarded for his free kick ability, as he mainly impressed with his tricky dribbling and sharp finishing. However, with hard work and a desire to improve, the Argentine superstar gradually improved his free kick skills, becoming one of the world’s leading free kick takers. Messi’s shots are not only accurate but also highly artistic, making every goalkeeper wary when facing him.

Messi is not limited by distance when taking free kicks. Even at a distance of over 30m, he can still create perfect curves, sending the ball flying into the net beyond the goalkeeper’s reach. At Inter Miami, Messi continues to be assigned the responsibility of taking direct free kicks, proving his superior class. With 63 goals from free kicks to date, Messi has not only consolidated his position in the list of great free kick specialists but also promises to increase this number in the future.

5. David Beckham

• Number of free kicks scored: 65

Free kicks with perfect curves have become David Beckham’s trademark in his playing career. Possessing a “magical” right foot, the former England captain has scored a total of 65 goals from direct free kicks. Most of these were made when Beckham played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and the England national team, making him one of the best free kick specialists in football history.

Not only stopping at direct free kicks, Beckham is also a master at creating from set pieces. His precise corner kicks and crosses often created opportunities for his teammates to score. The combination of technique, vision and the ability to calculate the ball’s trajectory made Beckham not only a threat to score from the spot but also a top “setter” in dead-ball situations.

4. Legrottaglie

• Number of free kicks scored: 66

Although not a familiar name to many modern fans, Legrottaglie was a prominent player in Argentine football in the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout his career, he played exclusively in his homeland, turning down attractive offers from big clubs such as Real Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan. This loyalty helped him build the image of a star attached to Argentine football, leaving a strong mark on the country’s history.

At his peak, Legrottaglie was famous for his excellent free kick ability, often scoring beautiful and spectacular goals. His free kicks were not only an important weapon to help the team overcome difficulties but also demonstrated the sophistication and skillful techniques in football at that time. After dedicating himself to Argentine football, he officially retired in 1976, at the age of 39, ending a memorable career.

3. Ronaldinho

• Number of free kicks scored: 66

Ronaldinho is not only remembered for his mesmerizing technical skills but also for his outstanding free kick ability, which made his brand. During his illustrious career, the former Brazilian star has left the opposing goalkeeper helpless many times with perfect free kicks, sending the ball into the dead corner that could not be blocked. Ronaldinho’s free kick goals are not only important but also memorable moments, demonstrating his spontaneous and creative football style.

Ronaldinho has scored a total of 66 goals from direct free kicks, ranking 3rd in the list of players who have scored the most goals from free kicks in history. This achievement affirms his superior class, not only as a football artist but also as a master free kick specialist. No matter which team he plays for, Ronaldinho always knows how to shine from set pieces, making a huge contribution to the success of the teams he plays for.

2. Pele

• Number of free kicks scored: 70

Pele, one of the greatest players in football history, is not only famous for his ability to score from open play but also for his impressive free kicks. With a total of 70 goals from direct free kicks in his career, he held the world record for decades, until it was surpassed by Juninho Pernambucano. Pele’s free kicks demonstrate a combination of skillful technique, power and absolute precision, helping him score many important goals in his career.

During his legendary career, Pele won 3 World Cups with the Brazilian team (1958, 1962, 1970), becoming the only player in history to achieve this feat. He also left a deep impression at his hometown club Santos, where he and the team won a series of domestic and international titles. After dedicating his life to football, Pele passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82, leaving an irreplaceable legacy in the hearts of fans and the history of the king sport.

1. Juninho Pernambucano

• Number of free kicks: 77

When it comes to great free kick specialists, the name Juninho Pernambucano is always ranked at the top. The Brazilian midfielder is considered by many experts and fans to be the best free kick taker in football history. During his career, Juninho scored a total of 77 goals from direct free kicks, with many memorable shots. Notably, 4 of them were taken from a distance of over 35m, demonstrating his strength, accuracy and superb technique.

Juninho was not only famous for his number of goals but also for his unique free kick style. He perfected and popularized the “knuckleball” free kick technique, where the ball flies in an unpredictable trajectory, suddenly changing direction, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with almost no chance of stopping it. This style requires absolute technique and excellent ball control, which Juninho executed with incredible precision. His technique later became an inspiration for many players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who regularly used the “knuckleball” in his free kicks.

Juninho was not only an excellent free kick taker but also left a legacy of the art of free kicks, a skill that he elevated to a true art.

Conclusion

The players with the most free kick goals in football history above are not only superstars of world football but also masters of taking free kicks. With powerful, delicate and accurate shots, they have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans. Their free kicks not only brought goals to the team but also beautiful moments in football history. The impressive numbers of free kick goals of these players will forever be an indispensable part of the memorable records of the king sport.

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