Top 10 Most Free-kick Goals in Football History

Top 10 Most Free-kick Goals in Football History

Free-kicks are one of the most exciting parts of football, and only a few players have mastered the skill. Juninho Pernambucano leads the list with an incredible 77 free-kick goals, and he is known for his powerful and unpredictable shots. Scoring from a free-kick takes practice, body control, and the skill to beat the wall and the goalkeeper.

Now, let’s look at the greatest players in football history who mastered this art and scored the most free-kick goals.

10. Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) - 60 Goals: The Defending Marksman

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Koeman has earned a bad reputation because of his managerial stint at FC Barcelona. However, that does not change that he is a legendary defender. He's the only defender with 60 official free-kick goals to make this elite list.

Historic Achievement:

• The Dutchman's most famous free-kick came in the 1992 European Cup final victory for Barcelona against Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium. In extra time, Koeman blasted the indirect free-kick through the onrushing defenders to give the "Dream Team" their first-ever European Cup

• Koeman is the defender with the most goals in soccer history.

9. Rogerio Ceni (Brazil) - 61 Goals: The Goalkeeping Phenomenon

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A goalscoring goalkeeper is no common sight within the world of football. Amazingly, former Brazilian pro, a starring figure for Sao Paulo throughout the 1990s and 2000s, racked up an incredible 131 goals during his long career.

Unique Achievement:

• He scored a remarkable 131 goals during his career, with most of them coming from free kicks and penalties — only one was scored from open play

• He was also the all-time leading free-kick scorer in the history of the Champions League (11 goals), before Cristiano Ronaldo dethroned him in 2016.

8. Diego Maradona (Argentina) - 62 Goals: The God's Divine Touch

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Seen by many fans, particularly those in Argentina, as the greatest football player of all time, Diego Maradona's special status across the game endures long after his playing days. His 62 free-kick goals showcased another dimension of his genius.

Unforgettable Moment:

One of his best free-kick goals was for Napoli against Juventus in 1985. He produced a nonchalant effort after his teammate rolled the ball into his path, curling it over a helpless Bianconeri wall and high into the top-right corner.

7. Zico (Brazil) - 62 Goals: The White Pelé

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A classic Number 10 who pulled the strings between midfield and attack and scored 48 goals in 71 international appearances, Zico remains one of Brazil's greatest ever players. His 62 free-kick goals tied with Maradona's career total.

Technical Mastery:

• A legend in his home country of Brazil, 25.8% of the attacking midfielder's goals for club and country came from free-kicks

• Many consider him the father of free-kicks in football history. Zico had perfected the art of scoring free kicks.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 64 Goals: The Evolution of Power

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While his conversion rate has dropped off since the Manchester United days, when defenders and goalies would be terrified by the sight of CR7 taking a deep breath after his classic four-step free kick run-up and knuckleball technique, Ronaldo's set piece tally of 64 places him among the elite.

The Ronaldo Method:

• He mastered the knuckleball technique during his final years with Manchester United with arguably his most famous free-kick coming against Portsmouth back in 2008

• Cristiano Ronaldo's 64th free-kick goal came in the second round of the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League, where he showcased his talent by scoring an impressive free kick in Al-Nassr's win against Al-Feiha.

5. David Beckham (England) - 65 Goals: The Precision Artist

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David Beckham is perhaps the most iconic free-kick taker in football history. Scoring 65 free-kick goals throughout his career, Beckham's bending free kicks became legendary.

Cultural Impact:

• His free-kicks were so good that a movie – Bend it Like Beckham – was made about them. "Bend it like Beckham" entered the contemporary lexicon anytime someone kicked a ball

• His free-kick prowess resulted in the phrase "Bend it like Beckham", which is still used by football fans today

Career Highlight: His 93rd-minute curling free-kick against Greece that secured England's qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup remains one of the most pressure-filled free-kicks in history.

4. Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 68 Goals: The Modern Master

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Lionel Messi, with his stunning free-kick goal against FC Porto for Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, has now moved up to the third position in the top 10 list of most free-kick goals in football history.

The Evolution of Excellence:

• He wasn't taking free kicks earlier in his career; when he became Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer in 2012, he had just 5 free-kick goals. But when he mastered the art, he became sensationally good at it

• Roughly 10.4% of his goals have come from free-kicks, which is a higher percentage than Ronaldo's

Iconic Moment: One of Messi's best free-kicks came in Barcelona's Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool back in May 2019, netting what was also his 600th Barca goal when he fired into the top-left corner from around 25 yards out.

3. Ronaldinho (Brazil) - 66 Goals: The Joyful Magician

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Known for his creativity and flair, Ronaldinho's free-kicks were often unpredictable, featuring a variety of techniques that baffled goalkeepers. The Brazilian phenomenon scored 66 free-kick goals throughout his career.

His Unique Style:

• Roughly 27.7% of his goals came from free kicks

• Known for attempting the audacious, including the famous lobbed free-kick over David Seaman

• His unpredictability made him impossible to defend against.

Legacy Impact: No wonder Messi got so good at free-kicks, given that Brazilian Ballon d'Or winner took him under his wing when he was at the peak of his powers at Barcelona.

2. Pelé (Brazil) - 70 Goals: The King's Crown Jewel

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Pelé, the king of football, is second on the list with 70 free-kick goals. While the three-time World Cup winner was known for his all-around brilliance, his free-kick abilities also stood out remarkably.

What Made Him Special:

• Pele relied on his pace and power to score his free-kick goals

• Around 10.2% of his goals came from free kicks

• Scored memorable free-kicks on the biggest stage, including the 1970 World Cup.

Pelé's Wisdom: "Taking a free kick needs a certain cunning. If, for example, the free kick is taken on the left-hand side of the box, it is better to take it with your right foot, and vice versa. Just before kicking the ball, have a careful look at the position of the goalkeeper and the wall".

1. Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil) - 77 Goals: The Undisputed King

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A dead-ball specialist noted for his bending free kicks, in particular the knuckleball technique which he developed, Juninho holds the record for the highest number of goals scored through free kicks (77) and is considered by many to be the greatest free-kick taker of all time.

Why He's #1:

• The Brazilian scored 179 goals in total for club and country at senior level, meaning roughly 43% of his goals came from free-kicks

• In eight seasons at Lyon, midfielder Juninho Pernambucano netted 100 goals for the French side, with 44 of those coming from direct free-kicks

• Inventor of the modern knuckleball technique

The Secret to His Success:

• Juninho himself has explained that he let the distance from the goal inform his technique, focusing more on placement from close range and concentrating on power when shooting from further out. His consistency came from an unwavering routine: three paces back from the ball, eyes focused, and the ability to make the ball "dance in the air."

Iconic Moment: His Champions League strikes against Barcelona showcased his ability to perform on the biggest stages, with the ball tending to dip into the corners late, given his unique strike technique.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has scored the most free-kick goals in football history?

Juninho Pernambucano holds the record with 77 official free-kick goals across club and international football.

Who is the top defender with the most free-kick goals?

Ronald Koeman is the highest-scoring defender from free-kicks, with 60 goals to his name.

Which goalkeeper has scored the most free-kicks?

Rogerio Ceni, a Brazilian legend, scored 61 free-kick goals, making him the highest-scoring goalkeeper in football history.

Disclaimer

The statistics listed in this article are based on available official records, club data, and historical sources. Actual free-kick goal counts may vary slightly due to discrepancies in record-keeping across different leagues and competitions. All player names, club mentions, and competitions are the intellectual property of their respective owners and governing bodies.