The 12 Greatest Free-Kick Takers in Football History

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

1. 1
   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. 2
   Ronaldinho

   The Brazilian magician bent unstoppable free-kicks with disguise and flair.
   679pts
3. 3
   Sinisa Mihajlovic

   The Serbian defender holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Serie A history.
   678pts
4. 4
   David Beckham

   England's iconic specialist defined the curling, whipped free-kick for a generation.
   555pts
5. 5
   Diego Maradona

   Argentina's genius bent precise left-footed free-kicks throughout his career.
   555pts
6. 6
   James Rodriguez

   Colombia's playmaker is an accomplished left-footed set-piece and free-kick taker.
   555pts
7. 7
   Lionel Messi

   Has scored more direct free-kick goals than any other active player with pinpoint curl.
   0pts
8. 8
   Gianfranco Zola

   Italy and Chelsea's diminutive forward was a precise and reliable dead-ball expert.
   0pts
9. 9
   Cristiano Ronaldo

   Pioneered the dipping knuckleball free-kick technique in the modern game.
   0pts
10. 10
    Roberto Carlos

    Author of the physics-defying 'banana' free-kick against France in 1997.
    0pts
11. 11
    Andrea Pirlo

    Italy's deep-lying playmaker mastered the knuckleball with effortless elegance.
    0pts
12. 12
    Zico

    Brazil's 'White Pelé' was one of the deadliest free-kick takers of the 1970s and 80s.
    0pts

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