Top 10 Highest-Scoring Free-Kick Takers Of All-Time: No Cristiano Ronaldo & Messi
Today we take a look at the highest-scoring free-kick takers of all-time according to their number of goals scored through free-kick.
Brazilian legend Juninho Pernambucan is the best free-kick taker of all time, according to the stats. The 45-year-old was an absolute master from dead-ball situations and scored a ridiculous 77 free-kicks playing for Lyon, Vasco da Gama, Al-Gharafa, and hometown club, Sports Club do Recife.
Juninho was able to find the net from several different angles and distances such was his efficiency, though his technique was not an original one
The Brazilian imitated compatriot Marcelinho, who also made the list of the highest-scoring free-kick takers of all-time with 59 goals from dead-ball situations.
“I started by copying free-kicks taken by Marcelinho, who played for Corinthians. He was one of my inspirations, and the first player I had ever seen hit the ball head-on and make it dance in the air,” Juninho told FourFourTwo.
“That tells you that the technique isn’t mine, either! Didi, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958 and 1962, was doing it back then, too. Everyone since has just been tweaking the formula.”
Elsewhere in the second place is another Brazilian legend, Pele with 70 goals from dead-ball situations, although it was unclear how many of that tally was scored in training.
Meanwhile, 2005 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho is in fourth after scoring 66, with fellow set-piece specialist David Beckham one behind on 65. Other legends such as Zico and Diego Maradona both scored 62 goals from dead-ball situations, while goalscoring defender and current FC Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hit 60.
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To complete the Brazilian-orientated list is Rogerio Ceni, as he was able to hit the back of the net with 59 goals from dead balls.
Top 10 Highest-Scoring Free-Kick Takers Of All-Time
Below is the full list of the 10 highest-scoring free-kick takers of all-time
| Pos | Player | Number Of Free-Kicks |
| 1 | Juninho Pernambucan | 77 |
| 2 | Pele | 70 |
| 3 | Victor Legrottaglie | 66 |
| 4 | Ronaldinho | 66 |
| 5 | David Beckham | 65 |
| 6 | Diego Maradona | 62 |
| 7 | Zico | 62 |
| 8 | Ronald Koeman | 60 |
| 9 | Rogerino Ceni | 59 |
| 10 | Marcelinho Carioca | 59 |
