The ability to score from a dead-ball situation is not everyone’s cup of tea. To master the power, trajectory and swerve of the ball to such an extent where one can lift the ball above the wall, keeping it under the crossbar while hitting it with enough pace to beat the goalkeeper is easier said than done. There are a very few people who could do it day in and day out and they have achieved success and have reached a higher status.
Even though none of the present players are on the list, two players are pretty close to reaching the list, undoubtedly, they are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The list comprises of:
5) David Beckham - 65 goals
One of the foremost famous personalities in football, David Beckham garnered tons of praise for his technique on the ball. His passing range and deadly curling crosses into the box became a trademark of his game-play. The midfielder was especially lethal when it came to free-kick situations and his iconic method of hitting the ball inspired many young football players to imitate his technique on their playgrounds.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid stalwart scored a number of the foremost iconic goals from free-kicks and repeated his feats for England also on the international stage. His ability on the ball also gave birth to a well-liked term, “Bend it like Beckham.”
4) Victor Legrotaglie - 66 goals
Argentina is not a name not common around the World, but he is pretty famous in Argentina where he played his entire career before retiring in 1974. He is hailed as one of the greats.
He is hailed as one of the most effective footballers from Mendoza and is said to have inspired many players from the approaching generations. Moreover, he had also generated interest from clubs like Inter Milan and Real Madrid during his time, but chose to stay in Argentina. Legrotaglie was particularly gifted when it came to set-piece situations. That's justified by the 66 goals scored by him from free-kicks, the very best by any Argentine ever.
3) Ronaldinho- 66 goals
Tied at 66 goals from free-kicks with Legrotaglie, Ronaldinho is one of the foremost and highly respected figures in football. The Brazilian is usually mentioned among the list of the best footballers to ever grace the football pitch and a person who has witnessed him play would find it hard to disagree. The retired Brazilian could do everything, dribble, pass, shoot and in particular possessed a flair that was second to none.
Ronaldinho was unquestionably pretty decent when it came to free-kicks. one among his most famous free-kick goals came against England within the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The play-maker plied his trade for football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona and AC Milan among others. There, he scored from all types of positions, particularly from direct free-kick situations and dead balls.
2) Pele - 70 goals
He is often regarded as one of the best footballers in the World and discussed in the same breath as Maradona. Pele was a complete master of his game who had scored 1000 goals in his entire career and winning 3 World Cups with his national team. One of the many qualities he possessed as a footballer was his quality in dead-ball situations. Reportedly, he had scored 70 times from direct free-kicks over the course of his football career.
1) Juninho Pernambucano - 77 goals
Juninho is that undisputed king of free-kicks who couldn’t reach the epitome of statuses and remained in Lyon for a long period winning the French league 7 times. He is believed to be the one to create the ‘knuckleball’ technique. The retired midfielder sent shivers down the spines of the opposing goalkeepers whenever he stepped up to take a hard one. He scored a total of 77 goals from free-kick situations in his football career, which is a feat that is still unmatched till today.
The Brazilian play-maker played an important part in Olympique Lyon’s domination of the French Ligue 1 before PSG came in with tons of money and took over the domestic football scene. Juninho helped the side from the midfield and regularly contributed with sensational goals from set-pieces.
Also Read | Players who scored most hat tricks in football
