Football's finest: The best free kick takers in history

While the 2020s hasn't been a memorable era for free kicks, whether that's because of a change in tactics or simply because we were spoilt for quality in the 2000s is up for debate, the magic of a perfect free kick still exists.

While some players are experts in long-range shots, powerful strikes, others distinguish themselves with curling strikes or clever shots. The free kick is an art and many players have contributed to its beauty.

Throughout football history, certain players have become legends for their mastery of free kicks. Here are ten of the best free kick takers of all time –players who’ve left an indelible mark on the game with their exceptional ball-striking skills. All stats sourced from Transfermarkt.

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Juninho scored an incredible 77 goals from free kicks  – a record in football history. Among his legendary strikes was a memorable goal against FC Barcelona in the Champions League, where he lobbed Victor Valdes from an improbable angle, leaving fans and commentators in awe.

Juninho’s free kick prowess helped Olympique Lyon secure seven consecutive French league titles, cementing his status as a player with a "magic foot." His skill and consistency left an unforgettable mark on the club’s history and in the memories of football fans worldwide.

With incredible skill and a unique sense for goal, Ronaldinho had an uncanny ability to place the ball just beyond the keeper's reach. His most iconic moment came in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final against England, where his brilliant free kick stunned the defense and helped Brazil advance, solidifying his place in football history.

There’s no question that Lionel Messi is one of the best free kick takers in history. With 66 free kick goals to his name — 50 for Barcelona, 11 for Argentina, 2 for PSG and 3 for Inter Miami, as documented by Transfermarkt —his record is truly remarkable. What makes this even more impressive is that, for five years at Barcelona, Messi wasn’t the primary free kick taker; that responsibility belonged to Xavi. Despite that, Messi’s ability to score from set pieces remains unmatched.

In just five years, between 2016 and 2021, Lionel Messi has scored more than 30 free kicks with FC Barcelona, including a marvel against Liverpool in the semi-final. A splendid goal, but one that will not prevent his team's elimination.

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Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo makes the list! The Portuguese forward is one of the most spectacular free kick takers in history, capable of scoring from over 30 meters out. With his powerful, whipped strike, Ronaldo revolutionized the technique of taking free kicks, using his unique approach to generate incredible speed and precision. His relentless work ethic and extraordinary talent have made him a master of set pieces, making every free kick a potential goal-scoring opportunity.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick routine—standing with legs apart, 4 meters from the ball—became iconic and was later imitated by players like Marcus Rashford. In his prime, he was highly consistent with his powerful strikes from a distance. While his success with free kicks waned in his later years, his influence on the technique remains lasting.

With three Ballon d'Or awards, Michel Platini is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. From 1983 to 1985, the French maestro dominated the game, leading France to victory in Euro 1984. A Juventus legend, Platini left a lasting mark on Serie A, with his lethal free kicks becoming a signature part of his game.

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With 61 free kicks to his name, Platini was known for his exquisite way of striking the ball — soft yet precise. His focus wasn’t on power, but on perfect placement. The ball often floated gracefully into the top corner or nestled against the base of the post. Platini’s intelligence and vision allowed him to exploit the goalkeeper’s positioning errors, making him an exceptionally gifted playmaker and free kick specialist.

Ranked 13th in the 1999 Ballon d'Or, Mihajlovic was a standout defender who spent his career in Italy, playing for AS Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio, and Inter. A legend of both Yugoslav and Serbian football, Mihajlovic holds the record for the most free kick goals in Serie A, with 45—surpassing even Michel Platini. His ability to score from set pieces made him a true force, even from his position at the back.

With 59 career free kicks, Rogerio Ceni is not only the highest-scoring goalkeeper in history, but also ranks ninth among all players for most free kick goals. Remarkably, he achieved this while playing as a goalkeeper, redefining the role with his unique ability to score from set pieces.

Indeed, the Brazilian spent his entire career at São Paulo, where he scored an astonishing 132 goals—more than most professional strikers manage in their entire careers. Ceni was so gifted that he also took his team's penalties, making him an even more extraordinary figure in football.

The best example of Roberto Carlos' free-kick genius came against France and Fabien Barthez. From over 30 meters out, he unleashed a rocket that curved around the wall before bending unexpectedly to find the top corner of the French goalkeeper's net. It was an absolute masterpiece, showcasing his unique ability to defy the laws of physics.

Many players could have made this list – Diego Maradona, for instance, though there’s no official record of his free kick tally. Other names like Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Del Piero, Wesley Sneijder, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Juan Román Riquelme also deserve mention, each known for their incredible free kick skills.

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