The 15 Greatest Free-Kick Scorers in Football History – Ranked from Lowest to Highest

June 22, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Scoring directly from a free-kick is one of the most difficult skills in football. It requires precision, technique, power, and nerves of steel. Yet a few legendary players have mastered it like no others, consistently turning set pieces into goals. Here are the 15 players with the most free-kick goals in football history.

15. Andrea Pirlo – 46 goals

Known for his elegance and vision, Andrea Pirlo also possessed one of the deadliest free-kick techniques in world football. The Italian maestro used a unique toe-strike to give the ball unpredictable movement. Playing for AC Milan, Juventus, and Italy, he made set pieces look effortless and deadly.

14. Michel Platini – 50 goals

A three-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of France’s greatest players, Michel Platini combined intelligence with perfect technique. He scored 50 free-kick goals during a career that included spells at Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus. His ability to strike with either foot made him nearly impossible to predict.

13. Alessandro Del Piero – 52 goals

Del Piero was a Juventus icon and a set-piece master. His curved shots and pinpoint accuracy made him a constant threat from distance. With 52 free-kick goals, including a then-record 11 in the Champions League, the World Cup winner left his mark both in Italy and on the European stage.

12. Rogério Ceni – 59 goals

Rogerio Ceni — Celso Pupo / Shutterstock.com

A goalkeeper scoring 59 free-kick goals? Only Rogério Ceni could pull that off. The São Paulo legend also took penalties and ended his career with a stunning 131 goals. His powerful and precise strikes earned him the trust to leave his goal and join the attack when it really mattered.

11. Marcelinho Carioca – 59 goals

One of the most beloved players in Corinthians history, Marcelinho Carioca had a free-kick style rooted in repetition and precision. He played over 400 games for the Brazilian club and scored more than 200 goals, including 59 from set pieces. His curling technique and calm demeanor made him a free-kick icon in Brazil.

10. Ronald Koeman – 60 goals

Photo: Piotr Piatrouski / Shutterstock.com

Koeman was a defender with the shot power of a striker. He netted 60 free-kick goals, including the winning strike in the 1992 European Cup final for Barcelona. The Dutchman’s thunderous shots from long range made him a lethal threat on dead balls, even from well outside the box.

9. Zico – 62 goals

Zico, often dubbed the “White Pelé,” was a genius on the ball and a specialist from set pieces. The Flamengo and Brazil legend perfected a short run-up and curling technique that left keepers stranded. With 62 free-kick goals, he was as much an artist as he was a goal-scorer.

8. Diego Maradona – 62 goals

Maradona’s magical left foot wasn’t just for dribbling—it was also a free-kick weapon. The Argentine icon netted 62 goals from dead-ball situations, and his influence helped shape the next generation of specialists, including Lionel Messi. Maradona could bend the ball like few others in history.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 64 goals

Ronaldo built his early reputation with blistering knuckleball free-kicks, particularly at Manchester United and Real Madrid. Though his scoring rate has slowed with age, he continues to deliver, with several strikes for Al Nassr and Portugal in recent years. With 64 goals, he’s still rising.

6. David Beckham – 65 goals

The Englishman’s iconic technique and flawless execution made him one of the most reliable free-kick takers ever. Beckham’s unforgettable goal against Greece in 2001 sealed England’s World Cup qualification and cemented his status. With 65 goals, he remains the most prolific European in this category.

5. Ronaldinho – 66 goals

Ronaldinho’s flair extended to his free-kicks, where he mixed imagination with execution. His most famous goal came against England in the 2002 World Cup, when he lobbed David Seaman from distance. Whether it was luck or genius, his 66 free-kick goals prove he knew exactly what he was doing.

4. Victor Legrottaglie – 66 goals

Virtually unknown outside Argentina, Legrottaglie spent his entire career in his homeland, mostly with Gimnasia y Esgrima. Despite turning down moves to Real Madrid and Inter Milan, he made history with 66 free-kick goals. He may not be a global icon, but his record speaks volumes.

3. Lionel Messi – 68 goals

Messi made free-kicks look like penalties, especially during his peak years at Barcelona. With 50 goals for the Catalan club and more for Argentina and Inter Miami, his technique is a masterclass in finesse. Still active, Messi could climb even higher in the ranking before he retires.

2. Pelé – 70 goals

Pelé’s incredible scoring prowess extended to set pieces. The Brazilian legend blended power and placement to rack up 70 goals from free-kicks. Playing the bulk of his career at Santos, he showed that he could hurt opponents in every imaginable way, including dead-ball situations.

1. Juninho Pernambucano – 77 goals

No one comes close to Juninho. The Brazilian midfielder revolutionized free-kick taking with his knuckleball technique and unpredictable swerves. With 77 free-kick goals, mainly during his time at Lyon, Juninho remains the undisputed GOAT of the dead ball.