# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published June 20, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-12-greatest-free-kick-takers-in-football-history*

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## Current results (1 votes)

1. **Juninho Pernambucano** — 100% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   The Lyon maestro scored a record 77 free-kick goals and is widely called the greatest dead-ball striker ever.
2. **Ronaldinho** — 0% (0 votes · score 679/1000)
   The Brazilian magician bent unstoppable free-kicks with disguise and flair.
3. **Sinisa Mihajlovic** — 0% (0 votes · score 678/1000)
   The Serbian defender holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Serie A history.
4. **David Beckham** — 0% (0 votes · score 555/1000)
   England's iconic specialist defined the curling, whipped free-kick for a generation.
5. **Diego Maradona** — 0% (0 votes · score 555/1000)
   Argentina's genius bent precise left-footed free-kicks throughout his career.
6. **James Rodriguez** — 0% (0 votes · score 555/1000)
   Colombia's playmaker is an accomplished left-footed set-piece and free-kick taker.
7. **Lionel Messi** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Has scored more direct free-kick goals than any other active player with pinpoint curl.
8. **Gianfranco Zola** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Italy and Chelsea's diminutive forward was a precise and reliable dead-ball expert.
9. **Cristiano Ronaldo** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Pioneered the dipping knuckleball free-kick technique in the modern game.
10. **Roberto Carlos** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Author of the physics-defying 'banana' free-kick against France in 1997.
11. **Andrea Pirlo** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Italy's deep-lying playmaker mastered the knuckleball with effortless elegance.
12. **Zico** — 0% (0 votes · score 396/1000)
   Brazil's 'White Pelé' was one of the deadliest free-kick takers of the 1970s and 80s.

Tags: sports, soccer, football, players, free kicks