Summary
Scoring directly from a free kick is one of the most difficult things to do in sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the best football players of all time, as well as among the most prolific free-kick scorers in history.
David Beckham was recognized for his pin-point precision and curve from set-pieces, and he scored a lot of memorable goals with them.
Scoring a free kick is one of the most difficult things to perform in football because of the distance, accuracy, and the combination of defenders and goalkeepers attempting to prevent it from going in. Despite this, a very small number of players throughout history appear to have an amazing knack and technical genius at taking them.
Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have scored some spectacular free kicks, whether they strike them with strength or bend them into the top corner with an astounding amount of curve. Despite their abilities, they do not rank among the best three players in history in terms of points scored. This article currently focuses on the greatest free-kick scorers of all time.
15 players who have scored the most free kicks in history.
Rank
Player
Free kicks scored
1.
Juninho Pernambucano
77
2.
Pele
70
3.
Lionel Messi
68
4.
Viktor Legrottaglie
66
5.
Ronaldinho
66
6.
David Beckham
65
7.
Cristiano Ronaldo
64
8.
Diego Maradona
62
9.
Zico
62
10.
Ronald Koeman
60
11.
Marcelino Carioca
59
12.
Rodrigo Ceni
59
13.
Alessandro del Piero
52
14.
Michel Platini
50
15.
Andrea Pirlo
46
15Andreal Pirlo – 46
The magician had several tricks in his sleeve. Andrea Pirlo was widely regarded as one of the most exquisite players of all time, as well as one of the best free-kick takers. With 46 goals to his name, the maestro, who also played for AC Milan and Juventus, possessed an amazing technical talent that allowed him to direct the ball exactly where it should go.
The Italian used only three toes to strike the ball, giving it an unusual trajectory, similar to his Brazilian colleague Juninho, from whom he took inspiration. This method obviously paid off.
14Michel Platini – 50
Many consider Michel Platini to be the best French player in history, and his legacy has endured. From his early days at Nancy to Juventus and Saint-Etienne, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner wowed fans on every pitch he played on.
Capable of devising a thousand and one moves to outwit his opponents, the playmaker also demonstrated a high level of free-kick accuracy. Assisted by an almost arrogant ease with both feet, he scored no fewer than 50 goals during his spectacular career. A nightmare for opposing goalkeepers.
13Alessandro Del Piero – 52
Alessandro Del Piero is without a doubt one of the best Serie A players of all time. Il Pinturicchio was a great legend of Italian football and Juventus, where he played from 1993 to 2012. He had a technical range that was well above average. During his illustrious career, he was able to score 52 free kicks thanks to these abilities.
The 2006 world champion could set up the opposing goalie from any position, making him a devastating weapon for his many teams. He was also the Champions League’s all-time best free kick scorer (11 goals) until Cristiano Ronaldo dethroned him in 2016.
12Rogerio Ceni – 59
Rogerio Ceni, a goalkeeper, has made his way onto the list, which is very incredible. The Brazilian was a virtuoso of set pieces, taking penalties as well as free kicks. Throughout his 22-year career with Sao Paulo, he scored 131 goals. Ceni, who did not score in his 17 appearances for Brazil, has discussed the art of taking free kicks.
“This is not even football. It is striking a ball. It’s two things: physics, because you have to hit the ball correctly, and psychology, because you have to know where to put it. And you must be cool. But many more individuals could accomplish it if they had the confidence to attempt, just as I did.”
It’s a credit to Ceni’s tremendous set-piece prowess that his club, Sao Paulo, trusted him enough to take them, knowing full well that they wouldn’t have a goalie to stand back and protect what would be an empty net on a counter-attack.
Rogerio Ceni Statistics (Sao Paulo)
Games
1197
Goals
131
Brazilian League Titles
3
Copa Libertadores
2
11Marcelinho Carioca – 59
Marcelinho spent the majority of his career in Brazil, where he scored an impressive number of free-kick goals while playing for Flamengo, Corinthians, Santos, and Vasco de Gama. Speaking to Globoesporte on the technique of free kicks, he said: “The key is to get it on target and let the ‘keeper deal with it.” “Repetition leads to perfection.”
His best years were spent with Corinthians, where he is rightfully recognized as a legend, having won the most titles for the club alongside Cassio Ramos, including the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2000. He appeared for the club over 400 times in two consecutive eras, scoring over 200 goals in total.
Marcelinho Carioca Statistics (Corinthians)
Games
420
Goals
206
Brazilian League Titles
2
FIFA Club World Cup
1
10Ronald Koeman – 60
Koeman’s total is incredibly good considering he was mostly a defensive player. He scored 239 career goals, with little over a quarter coming from free kicks. His most famous free-kick goal occurred in the 1992 European Cup final between Barcelona and Sampdoria. The Dutchman’s valiant effort in the 112th minute proved decisive, ensuring Barcelona’s first European title.
The former Everton manager’s ability to shoot the ball with power made him a lethal threat from long range, capable of breaching the net with a rasping drive far away from goal. Because of his ability to shoot from a distance, Koeman chose to take aim from several free kicks while other players might have decided to lump the ball into the box.
Ronald Koeman Statistics (Barcelona)
Games
192
Goals
67
La Liga Titles
4
The Champions League
1
9Zico – 62
Zico had an incredible career. He is Brazil’s fifth-highest goal scorer, with 48 goals for his country. Zico’s style was simple: he would have a brief run-up and frequently try to curl the ball over the wall and into the net. When asked about the adrenaline rush he had before taking a free kick, he stated, “It’s magic, because everyone is watching and waiting for you.
The Brazilian is regarded as one of the best footballers of all time, having been named to the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004 and Men’s World Player of the Year in 1981 and 1983. Zico, who was both creative and prolific, spent the majority of his time in Brazil, both with Flamengo and with his country.
Zico Statistics (Brazil)
Games
71
Goals
48
The World Cup
Third place (1978).
Copa America
Third place (1979).
8Diego Maradona – 62
Maradona could do practically anything with a football. He was a free kick specialist, among other things. Argentina’s fitness coach at the 2010 World Cup, Fernando Signorini, explained how Maradona helped Messi become the free-kick specialist he is today.
“In February 2009, just a few months after Maradona took over as coach of the national team, we played a friendly against a local team in Marseille,” Signorini said in his biography, Call to Rebellion, via the Daily Mail. “We practiced the day before, and after the session, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez, and Messi stayed for shooting practice.
“Messi dropped the ball and turned slightly to his left to look at the goal. When he struck the ball, it flew beyond the bar to the goalkeeper’s right. He was upset and walked towards the changing room, passing me by. I asked, ‘Are you going to go shower after that rubbish? Stop getting irritated; go get a ball and try again.”
Signorini claims that Maradona overheard the talk, wrapped his arm around Messi’s shoulder, and gave him some advise. Maradona is claimed to have advised him, “Don’t rush the shot, slow your swing down, because if you don’t, the ball won’t know what you want it to do.”
Diego Maradona Statistics (Argentina)
Games
91
Goals
34
The World Cup
1
7Cristiano Ronaldo – 64
Ronaldo scored an unusual number of free kicks with his knuckle-ball method early in his career. His free-kick ability has waned as he has aged, although he still managed to score three times from those scenarios in 2023. He scored twice in five days in March, once for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League against Abha and again in Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Liechtenstein. He scored his third free kick of the year in Al-Nassr’s game against Damac.
He also scored two free kicks in April 2024, during Al-Nassr’s 8-0 win over Abha. Coincidentally, the Real Madrid legend went on to score another hat trick in that game. His most recent came in August 2024, with a cheeky effort against Al-Fahya. According to messivsronaldo.app, Ronaldo has scored a free kick in every 20 games of his career as of June 2025. He’s one of only two active players on the list. Now 40, he has the potential to break into the top five before retiring.
Every free kick Cristiano Ronaldo has scored
Club
Free kicks scored
Manchester United
13
Real Madrid
34
Juventus
1
Al Nassr
5
Portugal
11
Total
64
6David Beckham – 65
Beckham is the most prolific free kick taker in European football history. With 18, he now has the most free-kick goals in Premier League history, though James Ward-Prowse is close in.
Beckham’s most famous free-kick goal was for England against Greece in 2001. The Three Lions needed at least a draw to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, but they were down 2-1 in injury time. England was awarded a free kick approximately 30 yards out with time running short. They needed a miracle, and Beckham delivered when he stepped up and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
David Beckham Statistics (England)
Games
115
Goals
17
England Player of the Year.
2003
5Ronaldinho – 66
Ronaldinho’s most memorable free kick occurred for Brazil against England during the 2002 World Cup. Ronaldinho caught David Seaman – and everyone watching at home – off guard as he shot from an extreme angle. His attempt went over Seaman and into the top corner. But, did he mean it?
Speaking about the free kick, Ronaldinho told FIFA, according to the Mirror: “When I hit the ball, I wanted to go for goal – although maybe not exactly where the ball ended up. If I’m completely honest, I was looking for the other side of the net. You can’t say it was a fluke because I was aware of the ‘keeper’s position and took a shot at goal. The fact that things did not go exactly as planned is less important than the fact that I was trying.
“What happened was that I hit my shot too hard, and as it traveled through the air, it swerved more, looping over Seaman.” There was nothing he could do about it, and there may have been some luck involved… but a goal is a goal!”
Ronaldinho Statistics (Brazil)
Games
97
Goals
33
The World Cup
1
Copa America
1
4Victor Legrottaglie – 66
Victor Legrottaglie, a midfielder by trade, spent his whole 21-year professional career in Argentina, primarily playing for Gimnasia y Esgrima. According to Sportskeeda, Legrottaglie reportedly garnered interest from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and the New York Cosmos throughout his career, but the South American refused to leave his hometown. While he never represented his country, scoring more free kicks than Maradona, Beckham, and Ronaldinho is an impressive feat.
3Lionel Messi – 68
Messi has made free kicks look like penalties since his Barcelona debut in 2003. The Argentine scored 50 free kicks for the Catalan giants, which is simply incredible.
Leo Messi’s 50 free kick goals: pic.twitter.com/68nDcEOUqQ — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona). May 3, 2021
Despite the fact that his famous career is nearing to a close, he still makes set-pieces appear effortless at the age of 37. Messi undoubtedly has a few more years at the top level, but it appears doubtful that he will finish his career with the most free-kick goals ever. So far in 2025, he has two great strikes for Inter Miami that have earned him a podium position.
Every free kick Lionel Messi has scored
Club
Free-Kicks Scored
Barcelona
50
Paris Saint Germain
2
Inter Miami
5
Argentina
11
Total
68
2Pele – 70
Pele’s goal total from free kicks is yet another reminder of how good he was. The Brazilian superstar, who spent 18 very successful years at Santos before finishing his career in the United States with a brief stint at the New York Cosmos, could send the ball into the back of the net with strength and bend it both ways. Pele is undoubtedly the greatest footballer of all time, but he is not the best free-kick taker, with seven fewer than a certain Brazilian.
Pele Statistics (Brazil)
Games
92
Goals
77
The World Cup
3
1Juninho Pernambucano – 77
Juninho is the free-kick GOAT (best of all time), and this will be the case for a long time. He discussed his free-kick skill in an interview with FourFourTwo in 2018. He stated, “I was always a superb shooter, but as a child, I lacked the power to score free kicks. I played futsal until I was 13 and didn’t score much, but that’s when I started taking free kicks. However, the wall was too close, so I rarely struck the goal. It wasn’t until I arrived to France that I perfected my skill.”
Juninho, despite his record, does not consider himself to be the greatest free-kick taker of all time. He said, “It’s lovely to hear appreciation, but I don’t really believe it – how can you measure that? What I believe is that my labor was worthwhile. I gave everything I had, sometimes more than my body could handle. There is only one best free-kick taker at any given time, so I may have been the best at it at one point, but that was it. “How can I say I’m better than David Beckham or Sinisa Mihajlovic?”
Juninho Statistics (Brazil)
Games
40
Goals
6
FIFA Confederations Cup
1
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