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Free-kick goals are often among the most stunning moments in football. Yet, mastering the technique required to score from a free kick is no easy feat. Only a select few players throughout history have managed to consistently deliver breathtaking goals from direct free kicks, whether in the Premier League, the Champions League, the Bundesliga, or other top leagues.
In this summary, I’ll highlight some of the greatest free-kick goals ever scored and celebrate the incredible specialists who bring a touch of magic to the beautiful game. Let’s dive in!
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What Is a Free Kick?
Basically, free kicks are set-piece situations where players can shoot the ball however they want, depending on the type of free kick. There are two types of free kicks: the direct free kick and the indirect free kick. The direct free kick allows players to shoot the ball directly into the goal and is capable of scoring. The indirect free kick, on the other hand, is a free kick in which the player must move the ball but not directly into the goal.
Some Famous Free-Kick Specialists
There are only a handful of truly great free-kick takers in the world, as scoring from a set piece is an incredibly difficult skill to master. Let’s take a look at some of the best footballers known for their free-kick prowess and score more free kicks than anyone. It’s worth noting that just two active players make this prestigious list: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Roberto Carlos (49 free-kick goals)
The Brazilian is a free-kick specialist who broke the net on several occasions at the end of the last century and the beginning of the 21st century. Roberto Carlos has a total of 49 free-kick goals, which makes him one of the best free-kick takers in history, and even more so if we take into account that Roberto Carlos scored 117 goals in his entire career.
Without a doubt, Roberto Carlos is one of the best free-kick takers of all time, whether for Real Madrid FC or the Brazilian national team. This fact is even more impressive if we remember that he was a defender! It will be very difficult to find another executor like Roberto Carlos in the coming years, especially due to his right-leg atomic shot!
Cristiano Ronaldo (64 free-kick goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most prolific free-kick takers in history. At the time of this writing, CR7 has scored 64 goals from free kicks. Most free-kick goals of Ronaldo have been club free kicks. Still, we expect the Portuguese to score more goals in upcoming international tournaments, such as the World Cup or the UEFA EURO, if he decides to continue his national team career.
His best year scoring free-kick goals was 2010 when he scored seven goals in total. Ronaldo’s most frequent free kicks have been elegant shots, with the ball entering the goal from the corner or away from the goalkeeper. It is the registered trademark of the Portuguese. Luckily, the GOAT has two or maybe three years left to play in the future, so we hope to see many more set-piece goals!
David Beckham (65 free-kick goals)
David Beckham was also a prolific free-kick taker and a magnificent playmaker. Most of the free-kick goals that the English scored were in the Real Madrid shirt when Beckham was part of “Los Galacticos,” that magical team built with such impressive players as Ronaldo Nazario, Roberto Carlos, and Zinedine Zidane.
David Beckham was a star both on and off the football field, known for his exceptional talent and charisma. His remarkable career can be revisited through countless videos and a popular Netflix series, where you’ll find yourself amazed by his stunning goals, skillful plays, and natural charm.
He was also one of the first soccer celebrities interested in fashion and activities outside the soccer field. In fact, that’s how he met his wife, Victoria Beckham. The couple constantly visits art exhibitions, concerts, fashion events, etc.
Ronaldinho (66 free-kick goals)
Ronaldinho Gaúcho is universally known as one of the most talented and skilled players in football’s history. The Brazilian was also a master of free-kick goals, scoring for both his clubs and the Brazilian national team.During his entire legendary career, Ronaldinho scored 66 free-kick goals. His most famous free kick was Brazil’s against England in the 2002 World Cup. Ronaldinho beat David Seaman, England’s goalkeeper, scoring from over 35 yards, leaving the audience in awe.
Pelé (70 free kick-goals)
Edson Arante do Nascimento, Pelé, is acclaimed as the best football player of all time by many FIFA specialists, former footballers, and most fans of the world of football. Pelé is one of the most effective strikers in history, scoring 767 official goals throughout his career. However, according to many viewers and witnesses, the Brazilian scored over one thousand goals, and many of them were free-kick goals.
Despite the fact that Pelé is not the free-kick goat, the Brazilian crack scored 70 free-kick goals, which is ten percent of the total goals he scored throughout his career. This way, Pelé is the second-highest scorer of free kicks in football history and also the second in Brazil’s history.
Pele was an extremely impressive striker in dead-ball situations, and his goals amazed the entire world. His outstanding career, which rivals Diego Maradona’s career, is full of impressive goals you should know. O Rei (aka “The King”) racked up many goals for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos.
Lionel Messi (66 free-kick goals)
Lionel Messi has proven to be one of the best players in history and one of the forwards who has scored the most free kicks. In short, he is the fifth top goal scorer in history in terms of free-kicks.
Messi still has a a few years of professional football ahead of him, so he probably will increase the number of free-kick goals he scores in the next two or three years. After leaving Paris Saint Germain, Messi has won important trophies, such as the Copa America and the World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi has done almost everything in the world of football, winning eight Ballon d’Ors, six Soulier d’Ors, and many other awards and prizes. Furthermore, Messi is the greatest forward of the Argentine national team in history.
Juninho Pernambucano (77 free-kick goals)
TV Brasil, CC BY 3.0 BR, via Wikimedia Commons
Juninho Pernambucano is not the most popular Brazilian footballer, but he was one of the most efficient midfielders when it came to free kicks. He scored more than a hundred goals during his entire career, and 77 of those goals came from set pieces.
Juninho Pernambucano played for Olympique Lyon, a team he helped win seven Ligue 1 titles. The Brazilian also played for other clubs, such as Vasco da Gama and New York Red Bulls.
The Brazilian player is another reminder that a footballer does not necessarily have to be the best at scoring quality free kicks. As of the day I wrote this article, Pernambucano is the leading free-kick scorer of all time. However, some active players can still score many more free-kick goals in subsequent years, increasing their goal tally.
The Best Free Kicks in History
Football history is filled with hundreds of incredible free kicks scored by both defensive stalwarts and master strikers alike. Now, let’s dive into my selection of these unforgettable goals!
Roberto Carlos – Brazil 1-1 France (1997)
Most people aged thirty or older likely remember Roberto Carlos’s iconic goal against France in 1997. Although the French team would go on to win the 1998 World Cup, this match ended in a draw, thanks to Roberto Carlos’s unforgettable strike.
The midfielder unleashed a powerful free kick from over 40 meters out—a shot that was both astonishing and almost impossible to replicate. The ball curved dramatically in the air, changing direction before hitting the back of the net, leaving the goalkeeper stunned.
David Beckham – Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona (1998)
David Beckham was very popular on and off the football field, providing unique talent and assistance in every match, whether playing for Real Madrid or LA Galaxy in the MLS. One of Beckham’s most memorable free-kick goals was against Barcelona in 1998. The English surprised the barrier, the defenders, and the goalkeeper with an elegant strike that took the ball away from Barcelona’s number 1.
Like many other English free-kick goals, this goal was a gem in Beckham’s career, a masterpiece that made the stadium burst into applause for the Englishman.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United 2-0 Portsmouth (2008)
As I mentioned in the first part of this article, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a great free-kick striker since the beginning of his career, playing for Manchester United and Real Madrid. It was when he was playing for the English team that Ronaldo scored one of his most impressive free-kick goals, a powerful shot from more than thirty meters that entered the top corner of the goal.
This goal was one of the first free-kick goals in the Portuguese’s career. It was an elegant shot that reflected his dominance and technique.
Ronaldinho – PSG 2-1 Rennes (2002)
Ronaldinho was a magician with the ball at his feet, and most of the Brazilian’s goals were masterpieces full of talent, skill, and grace. Every play and goal seemed effortless.
The “Magician” spent much of his career in Europe, the continent where he scored his best free-kick goals. One that stands out, especially above other free-kick goals, is the one scored against Rennes when he played for Paris Saint Germain.
The Brazilian shot the ball which landed into the net, marking the difference between his team and Rennes. This free kick will be a gem for a long while yet.
Zinedine Zidane – Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (1997)
Zinedine Zidane is remembered for his incredible skills and iconic goals, earning him recognition as one of the greatest footballers of the early 21st century. It’s no coincidence that the Frenchman led his country to victory in the 1998 World Cup. Zidane was also a key figure in Real Madrid’s famous “Galácticos” era, playing alongside stars like David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.
In 1997, the Frenchman scored some of the most beautiful goals of his entire career while playing for “La Vecchia Signora.” Zidane touched the ball with such elegance that it floated through the air and finished in the top left corner of the goal.
Since that moment, Zidane’s position within the teams he played for has been indisputable, whether in the French national team, Juventus or Real Madrid.
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In my opinion, free-kick goals are among the most beautiful in football, or soccer—whichever you prefer. Scoring one of these is immensely satisfying and incredible from every angle, especially if you’re the one taking the shot.
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