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The 12 Greatest Free-Kick Takers in Football History

by YPB Team1 vote

From Juninho's unplayable knuckleballs to Beckham, Messi and Roberto Carlos — ranking the deadliest dead-ball specialists football has ever seen.

  1. Juninho Pernambucano — ranked #11
    Juninho Pernambucano
    The Lyon maestro scored a record 77 free-kick goals and is widely called the greatest dead-ball striker ever.
    1000pts
    BE
  2. Ronaldinho — ranked #22
    Ronaldinho
    The Brazilian magician bent unstoppable free-kicks with disguise and flair.
    679pts
  3. Sinisa Mihajlovic — ranked #33
    Sinisa Mihajlovic
    The Serbian defender holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Serie A history.
    678pts
  4. David Beckham — ranked #44
    David Beckham
    England's iconic specialist defined the curling, whipped free-kick for a generation.
    555pts
  5. Diego Maradona — ranked #55
    Diego Maradona
    Argentina's genius bent precise left-footed free-kicks throughout his career.
    555pts
  6. James Rodriguez — ranked #66
    James Rodriguez
    Colombia's playmaker is an accomplished left-footed set-piece and free-kick taker.
    555pts
  7. Lionel Messi — ranked #77
    Lionel Messi
    Has scored more direct free-kick goals than any other active player with pinpoint curl.
    0pts
  8. Gianfranco Zola — ranked #88
    Gianfranco Zola
    Italy and Chelsea's diminutive forward was a precise and reliable dead-ball expert.
    0pts
  9. Cristiano Ronaldo — ranked #99
    Cristiano Ronaldo
    Pioneered the dipping knuckleball free-kick technique in the modern game.
    0pts
  10. Roberto Carlos — ranked #1010
    Roberto Carlos
    Author of the physics-defying 'banana' free-kick against France in 1997.
    0pts
  11. Andrea Pirlo — ranked #1111
    Andrea Pirlo
    Italy's deep-lying playmaker mastered the knuckleball with effortless elegance.
    0pts
  12. Zico — ranked #1212
    Zico
    Brazil's 'White Pelé' was one of the deadliest free-kick takers of the 1970s and 80s.
    0pts

#Sports648#Soccer49#Football577#Players574#Free Kicks2

Comments

Juninho, Ronaldinho and Beckham built reputations on dead balls, while 42 Real Madrid assists came off corners and free kicks: https://youpick.best/articles/how-many-ways-to-rank-james-rodriguez https://youpick.best/articles/lionel-messi-ranked-many-ways

YP
ypb-team·Aug 21·
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