Most Free Kick Goals in Football History
by Deepika V
Updated Mar 25, 2024
Most Free Kick Goals in Football History
Football fans find it fascinating to watch when a striker uses a free kick to locate a narrow space in the goalkeeper's net, displaying a high degree of ability and precision. It takes intense practice, sharp awareness, and physical skill.
Scoring a free kick in football is considered one of the most challenging tasks due to various factors like distance, accuracy, and the defensive setup aiming to prevent the ball from entering the net. However, a rare group of players throughout history has demonstrated exceptional skill and technical expertise in free-kick taking.
Top 10 Ranked Footballers
Here is the list of the Top 10 most Free-Kick Goals in Football History.
Rank
Player
Free-kicks Scored
1
Juninho Pernambucano
77
2
Pele
70
3
Ronaldinho
68
4
66
5
David Beckham
65
6
Lionel Messi
65
7
Diego Maradona
62
8
Zico
62
9
Cristiano Ronaldo
61
10
60
Victor Legrottaglie
Ronald Koeman
1. Juninho Pernambucano (77)
Juninho, a former Brazil international, was renowned as a free-kick expert; he tops the list of all others with 77 goals scored from free-kicks, a record unmatched. His trademark curling shots from long distances were a spectacle, admired by fans worldwide.
He showcased his talent not only for Brazil but also for clubs like Vasco da Gama and Lyon. Juninho pioneered the "Knuckle balling" technique, hitting the ball with maximum force to eliminate spin, adding another dimension to his already impressive skill set.
2. Pele (70)
Pele, regarded as one of the greatest players in history, this legendary forward was particularly skilled at scoring free-kicks, tallying an impressive 70 such goals for Brazil, Santos, and the New York Cosmos. With a record-breaking three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962, and 1970, Pele stood out as one of the most accomplished and beloved sports icons of the 20th century.
3. Ronaldinho (66)
The footballer, renowned as a Barcelona icon and a 2002 FIFA World Cup champion, left a lasting impression with numerous unforgettable free-kick goals during his short yet impactful tenure. He stands among the top scorers in Champions League history for free kicks. His remarkable ability to find the net from long-range situations resulted in a total of 68 free-kick goals.
4. Victor Legrotaglie (66)
Victor Legrotaglie, a retired Argentine midfielder, ranks fourth on this list with 66 free-kick goals. His exceptional technical prowess and striking abilities left a lasting impression. Despite receiving offers from Real Madrid and Inter Milan, the now 86-year-old chose to stay loyal to his local club, Gimnasia y Esgrima, where he started his professional journey in 1953.
5. David Beckham (65)
Throughout his career, Beckham compensated for his lack of speed with his exceptional ability to score free-kicks, earning him a legendary status at Manchester United and in England. His free-kicks were characterized by their pace, curl, and accuracy, with Beckham's foot almost forming a right angle with the ball upon contact.
This technique imparted enough spin for the ball to curve around defensive walls and find the back of the net, making him the top scorer of free-kicks in the Premier League.
6. Lionel Messi (65)
Lionel Messi, a contemporary football legend, has netted 65 goals from free-kicks to date. He ranks fifth among all-time free-kick scorers and leads among active players. The Argentine maestro has delivered numerous exquisite set pieces throughout his career, securing a spot in the top 6 alongside Beckham.
7. Diego Maradona (62)
Diego Maradona, with 62 goals from free-kicks, was a controversial yet exceptional footballer, renowned for leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986 and guiding Napoli to two Serie A titles.
His brilliance on the field, especially in open play, dribbling, passing, and deadly free-kick taking with his left foot, defined his legendary status. Maradona's ability to bend the ball at will during free-kicks showcased his technical skill and composure.
8. Zico (62)
Zico, a legendary Number 10 known for orchestrating play and scoring 48 goals in 71 international matches, is still regarded as one of Brazil's finest players, even years after his prime in the 1970s and 80s. His superb technical skills and imaginative play extended to his free-kick prowess, with the set-piece expert matching Maradona's career tally of 62 goals.
9. Rogerio Ceni (61)
Rogerio Ceni, with 61 free-kick goals, had a remarkable career as a Brazilian professional footballer, particularly shining for Sao Paulo in the 1990s and 2000s. His total tally of 131 goals is astounding, with a significant portion of them scored from dead ball situations, including penalties, and a noteworthy number from free kicks.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (61)
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 61 goals, initially gained fame for his exceptional free-kick ability, particularly his knuckleball technique early in his career. Although his proficiency in free-kicks has diminished with age, he still managed to score three times.
In March, Ronaldo showcased his free-kick prowess by scoring twice within five days. First, he netted one for Al Nassr in their Saudi Pro League game against Abha, followed by another goal in Portugal's Euro 2024 qualifying match against Liechtenstein. His third free-kick goal of the year came during Al-Nassr's match against Damac.
10. Ronald Koeman (60)
Koeman is known for being a great defender, has also scored 60 free-kick goals. Still, he's legendary for his defending skills. He scored lots of goals as a defender, even making it to the top list of defenders who scored the most goals.
Throughout his career at clubs like PSV, Ajax, Holland, and FC Barcelona, Koeman scored a total of 194 goals.
