Specialists: The Free-Kick Masters

Hooligan Soccer

·25 de abril de 2025

Specialists: The Free-Kick Masters

Free-kicks are one of the most beautiful and technical aspects of soccer. It is truly a marriage between art, science and skill. Only a select few specialists have perfected it, bending and striking the ball with precision and power. Here are some of the best free-kick takers in soccer history, ranked by overall success rate from lowest to highest.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Free Kicks Taken: 490
Free Kicks Scored: 60
Success Rate: 12.2%
Played for: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr (current)
National Team: Portugal
Overview: Yeah, yeah… we all know that Ronaldo loves to take the free-kick and he has hit some legendarily clutch scores for club and country. But his ego and obsession with being “the guy” also kept him taking the shot way past his prime. That’s why his success rate is so low. But when he hits ’em well… yikes.

Andrea Pirlo

Free Kicks Taken: 269
Free Kicks Scored: 46
Success Rate: 17.1%
Played for: Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC
National Team: Italy
Overview: Pirlo’s free-kicks were a work of art, often floating delicately into the top corner. His composure and technique made him Italy’s go-to specialist for set-pieces.

Lionel Messi

Free Kicks Taken: 365
Free Kicks Scored: 65
Success Rate: 17.8%
Played for: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami (current)
National Team: Argentina
Overview: Yeah, yeah… we all know about Messi’s ability to score from nearly anywhere on the field in the run of play. But he’s also a nasty dead-ball specialist who can curl the ball into the top corner, even from tight angles.

Ronaldinho

Free Kicks Taken: 308
Free Kicks Scored: 66
Success Rate: 21.4%
Played for: Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan
National Team: Brazil
Overview: Ronaldinho’s flair and creativity extended to his free-kicks. Whether through power or finesse, he could score from virtually any angle.

Michel Platini

Free Kicks Taken: 183
Free Kicks Scored: 41
Success Rate: 22.4%
Played for: Nancy, Saint-Étienne, Juventus
National Team: France
Overview: Platini’s effortless style and calmness under pressure made him one of the most elegant free-kick takers of his generation.

Ronald Koeman

Free Kicks Taken: ~250
Free Kicks Scored: 60
Success Rate: ~24.0%
Played for: Groningen, Ajax, PSV, Barcelona, Feyenoord
National Team: The Netherlands
Overview: Koeman was known for his incredibly hard shot and specialized in shooting from long distance, the ball seemingly defying the laws of physics to stay on frame. When he stepped up to shoot, the wall would often flinch, and his later career he would feint a rocket, then delicately curl it in.

Diego Maradona

Free Kicks Taken: 186
Free Kicks Scored: 45
Success Rate: 24.1%
Played for: Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli
National Team: Argentina
Overview: Maradona’s left foot was magical, and his free-kicks often left defenders and goalkeepers helpless. His knack for delivering in crucial moments adds to his legacy.

David Beckham

Free Kicks Taken: 268
Free Kicks Scored: 65
Success Rate: 24.3%
Played for: Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy
National Team: England
Overview: Surely you expects Becks to be here? They named a freaking movie after his signature curling technique. His ability to bend the ball over or around walls earned him a reputation as one of the most clutch free-kick takers. His success rate is solid, too.

Sinisa Mihajlovic

Free Kicks Taken: 201
Free Kicks Scored: 50
Success Rate: 24.9%
Played for: Red Star Belgrade, AS Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio, Inter Milan
National Team: Yugoslavia
Overview: Mihajlovic is one of the few defenders known for his prolific free-kick record. He has been quoted saying that without Law 13 (which governs free-kicks) he never would have played the sport. He never shied away from a hard tackle either.

Juninho Pernambucano

Free Kicks Taken: 287
Free Kicks Scored: 77
Success Rate: 26.8%
Played For: Vasco de Gama, Lyon, Al-Gharafa
National Team: Brazil
Overview: Widely regarded as the greatest free-kick taker of all time, Juninho’s ability to strike the ball with unpredictable movement made him a nightmare for goalkeepers. His knuckleball technique is legendary.

Zico

Free Kicks Taken: 232
Free Kicks Scored: 101
Success Rate: 43.4%
Played for: Flamengo, Udinese, Kashima Antlers
National Team: Brazil
Overview: In a country that produced many outstanding free-kick specialists, Zico was perhaps the best. His pinpoint accuracy and impeccable technique translates into that high success rate, even if the number is somewhat suspect.