Top 10 Players with Most Free Kick Goals in Football History (Ranked)

There is nothing like a free kick in football, where the crowd holds its breath as the ball travels near the goal post. It's a skill which needs accuracy, correct power and of course some amount of luck. Legends like Juninho Pernambucano, with his wild knuckleball shots, Pelé with his booming strikes, and modern stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who bend the ball like artists. These previously mentioned players have turned dead balls into unforgettable displays of skill, leaving goalkeepers helpless and fans screaming for more. But as football as a sport moves forward, you can see the number of free kick goals declining.

As the world of football craves more of these magical moments, let’s dive into the top 10 players who’ve scored the most free kick goals, celebrating the icons who’ve made every set piece a thrilling show.

List of Most Free Kick Goals By a Player

There are a few elite names who have mastered the technique of scoring direct free-kick goals from the outside of the box and accumulating staggering goal tallies courtesy of their exquisite set-piece skills. In this article, we are going to explore the names of the top ten players with the most free kick goals in the history of football. Who has most free kick goals

Who has Most Free Kick Goals in Football History?

Players listed below are the football legends who have turned free kicks into heart-stopping magic, etching their names into the sport’s history with every curling shot. From a goalkeeper defying the odds to playmakers painting masterpieces with the ball, their set-piece brilliance lights up the game. Let’s dive into the thrilling stories behind the players with the most free kick goals

10. Rogerio Ceni (Brazil)

At number 10 in our list of the most free kick goals in the history of football, we have Rogerio Ceni, a Goalkeeper. In football, keepers who score goals are not a common phenomenon, as their primary role is to guard the goal and prevent the opposition from scoring goals. However, Rogerio Ceni had defied these fundamentals of a shot-stopper.

He has bagged 131 goals, mostly through set-piece penalties and free kick. While playing between the sticks during his entire career with the São Paulo football club, Ceni has netted 61 free-kick goals, making him one of the names among the most prolific free kick scorers in history, proving that talent knows no position. Ceni’s legacy as a goal-scoring goalkeeper continues to amaze fans as know one can comprehend a keeper among the most free kick goals by a player, showing that even those guarding the net can steal the show.

9. Zico (Brazil)

In ninth place, we have another Brazilian legend– Zico, an orthodox number 10 playmaker. He is hailed as one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time and currently stands fifth in the top goal-scoring charts for Seleção with 48 goals to his name in 71 national team caps. The former Brazilian International has scored 62 free-kick career goals using his superior set-piece technique, vision and creative eye for goal.

Once, Zico himself reflected on his ability to score from a distance, stating, “It’s magic, because at that moment everybody is watching and waiting for you.” Zico’s legacy as a free-kick specialist while representing clubs like Udinese remains a shining example of Brazil’s rich footballing tradition, inspiring generations of set-piece takers.

8. Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Diego Armando Maradona is eighth on the list, tied with fellow South American icon Zico, with 62 free-kick goals. One of the greatest Central Attacking Midfielders (CAM) of all time, apart from his insane dribbling and goal-scoring excellence. The Napoli Icon’s ability to find the top corner of the net or curl past the goalkeeper to put the ball at the back of the net is unmatched with his lethal left foot, a proven set-piece specialist in the true sense.

Argentine free kicks were as unpredictable as his dribbling on the field, which made him one of the best. Diego Maradona's ability to score dead balls from any spot had made him an all-time great and a player with the most free kick goals.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

The number seven is associated with only one man, Cristiano Ronaldo; however, it’s not only his iconic jersey number but also the rank he holds on this elite list of players with the most goals courtesy of free kicks. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon scored 64 goals from free-kicks among his substantial tally of nearly 900 goals, which makes him the world’s all-time top goal scorer.

Al-Nassr star is still able to pull strings at the top level and continues to convert his chances through set-pieces. Thus, there’s plenty of scope for him to climb this list of players with the most free kick goals by a player. However, football fans around the world await his free-kick goals as the Portuguese legend's last goal from a distance was recorded a while ago, whereas his 'GOAT' rival Lionel Messi is scoring free kicks for fun in the MLS

6. David Beckham (England)

The English footballing star David Beckham is widely remembered with the phrase ‘Bend it like Beckham’ a testament to his free-kick specialty. Beckham is considered as the most elegant and stylish midfielder in history. He has played for some of the biggest football clubs on the planet such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Whether it was a long-range curler or a perfectly placed shot, he delivered with style. His 65 free-kick goals reflect not just his skill but his clutch mentality, often scoring when his team needed it most. Beckham’s legacy as a set-piece icon continues to inspire young players everywhere.

5. Victor Legrotaglie (Argentina)

Victor Legrotagile might be the most unpopular name on this list among the modern-day superstar players who have played primarily in Europe for top clubs. He had spent nearly 21 years of his professional career in Argentina, most with Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, and enjoyed a successful domestic career from the 1950s to 70s.

The Argentine legend was renowned for his set-piece technique. In his entire football career, he scored 66 direct free-kick goals, even surpassing the likes of Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo on the list and ranks him 5th among the players with most free kick goals in football.

4. Ronaldinho (Brazil)

It’s the most unsurprising fact that this list is dominated by Brazilian superstars, as their footballing technical brilliance comes naturally. Ronaldinho Gaúcho is often recalled by the fans for his legacy with Barcelona and AC Milan while also being part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning team in Japan. He was a versatile forward with superb dribbling skills, a pace full of trickery and flair, with the ball is something that can’t be matched.

When it comes to free-kick goals, he was equally gifted, netting a total of 66 free-kick goals in his entire career. His 66 goals reflect not just his skill but his love for the game, turning almost every free kick into a celebration. Ronaldinho’s legacy as a free-kick maestro lives on, inspiring fans to remember football’s fun side.

3. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The Argentine superstar Lionel Messi overtakes his Portuguese counterpart with a two-goal margin on this list to seal the 3th position. Messi is undeniably one of the most mesmerising set-piece takers in modern football, his left-footed curling shot from the spot, hit with perfect power and placement, never fails to beat the tall defensive wall and the keeper with ease.

The former Barcelona legend has bagged 69 free-kick goals, mastering the art of scoring through set-pieces throughout his glorious trophy-laden career. Additionally, Argentine has shown no sign of stopping. If he continues to score at the same rate he is scoring free kicks now, he won't be too far from becoming the player with the most free kick goals by a player.

2. Pele (Brazil)

Last but not least Brazilian legend Pele is world-famous for his impeccable dribbling, prolific goal-scoring, and playmaking skills. The forward ranks among the highest goal scorers and assist providers in the history of football. His proficiency in set-pieces is another remarkable feat of his unparalleled career, as he has scored 70 free-kick goals throughout his career. Hence, taking the second place in this esteemed ranking of the best free kick takers of all time.

However, his critics always raise questions about the number of goals he scored, but when it comes to free kick goals, it is well documented and makes Pele a player with one of the most free kick goals.

1. Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil)

We have now come down to answer the question of who has most free kick goals? In the first place and it is former Middlesbrough icon Juninho Pernambucano crowning the title of scoring the most free kick goals of all time. The Brazilian midfielder has achieved an unprecedented tally of 77 goals courtesy of direct set-pieces. Juninho’s swerving and dipping strikes were totally class apart, like no other player can replicate his excellence.

Moreover, he had mastered the technique of knuckleball method to shoot the ball with immense power and managed to land his shot on targets from close or long ranges. Juninho’s legacy isn’t just in the numbers but in the way he made every free kick a moment of pure anticipation. Fans knew when he stepped up, something unforgettable was about to happen, and he rarely disappointed.