Top 10 Players with Most Free Kick Goals in Football (All-Time List)

There is nothing like a free kick goal in football, where the crowd holds its breath as the ball travels near the goal post. It's a skill that requires accuracy, correct power and some amount of luck for the ball to beat the glovesman. 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.

Players of such calibre have bagged most free kick goals, turning dead balls into unforgettable displays of skill, leaving goalkeepers helpless and fans screaming for more. But as football 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 players with most free kick goals in football history.

List of Players With Most Free Kick Goals

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. Celebrating the icons who’ve made every set piece a thrilling show, we are going to explore the names of players with most free kick goals ever in the game.

Who has Most Free Kick Goals in Football History?

All the players listed below are the football icons who have transformed set pieces into pure artistry, 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 most free kick goals.

10. Rogerio Ceni (Brazil)

At number 10 in our list of the most free kick goals in football history, we have a goalkeeper named Rogerio Ceni. He is a well-known figure in the Brazilian football fraternity. In football, shot stoppers who score goals are not a common phenomenon, since 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. While playing between the sticks during his entire career with the Brazilian side São Paulo football club.

He has bagged 131 goals, mostly through set-piece penalties and free kicks, among which 61 came from free kicks. Hence, he is the only goalkeeper with most free kick goals in football, proving that talent knows no position. Ceni’s legacy as a goal-scoring goalkeeper continues to amaze fans, as know one can comprehend a goal-scoring keeper showing that even those guarding the net can steal the show.

9. Zico (Brazil)

In ninth place, we have another Brazilian legend, Arthur Antunes Coimbra, nicknamed Zico, an orthodox playmaker who played a key role in popularising football in Japan. 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. He bagged 62 free kick career goals using his superior set-piece technique, vision and creative eye for goal.

After notable spells with Flamengo and Italian club Udinese Calcio, the Brazilian last played for Japanese club Kashima Antlers before hanging up his boots in 1994. 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)

The Argentine icon Diego Armando Maradona is eighth on the list, tied with fellow South American legend Zico in terms of most free kick goals in football history with 62 free-kick goals. One of the greatest central attacking Midfielders of all time, apart from his insane dribbling and goal-scoring excellence. His 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.

The Napoli legend Maradona's free kicks were as unpredictable as his dribbling on the field, which made him difficult to deal with in set pieces. Moreover, the 1986 World Cup winner possessed an exceptional mastery of scoring dead balls from every angle and spot. He was remarkable with his quick feet, ball control and mesmerising dribbling, claiming the tag of an all-time great and becoming 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 free kick goals in football. Termed as the best Real Madrid player of all time, Cristiano has scored 64 goals from free kicks among his substantial tally of over 950 goals, which makes him the player with the highest goals in football history.

The 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 Major League Soccer of the United States.

6. David Beckham (England)

The global footballing icon David Beckham is widely remembered with the famous phrase ‘Bend it like Beckham’, a testament to his free-kick speciality. The Englishman, Beckham, is considered 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, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

Whether it was a long-range curler or a perfectly placed shot, he delivered every single set piece with elegance. One of the greatest Manchester United players has beaten the goalkeeper 65 times via a free kick, reflecting his unreal proficiency. Beckham’s legacy as a set-piece icon continues to inspire young players everywhere. Also, he has earned 115 international caps for the Three Lions.

5. Victor Legrotaglie (Argentina)

On the list of players with most free kick goals, we have another name from Argentina. Victor Legrotagile might be the least popular 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, playing for local outfit 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 and a beloved figure in his home town, Mendoza. Throughout his entire football career, Victor Legrotagile 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 South Americans, as their footballing technical brilliance comes naturally. Ronaldinho is globally 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.

However, when it comes to free-kick goals, he was equally gifted with set-piece technicality, netting a total of 66 free kick goals in his entire professional career. The Brazilian superstar's free-kick proficiency turns 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 and him as someone who has most free kick goals.

3. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The former Barca superstar Lionel Messi seals the third position after scoring most free kick goals, overtaking his Portuguese counterpart by some margin. 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 Inter Miami forward has bagged a remarkable 69 free kick goals, mastering the art of scoring through set-pieces throughout his glorious trophy-laden career. Additionally, the Argentine icon has shown no sign of stopping despite passing his prime years. 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 in football history.

2. Pele (Brazil)

Last but not least, Brazilian legend Pelé 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. Also, he is one of those players with most free kick goals. Pele was proficient in set-pieces is another remarkable feat of his unparalleled career, as he has scored 70 free kick goals throughout his career.

Therefore, the three-time World Cup winner with Brazil successfully occupies 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 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 who crowns 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.

Not only that, he even mastered the technique of the famous knuckleball technique 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.