The players with the most free-kicks in football history revealed: Lionel Messi sits ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo but still doesn't make the top five, a goalkeeper has scored 59 and Premier League forgotten star tops the list

There have been some brilliant free-kick takers throughout footballing history, but scoring regularly from a set-piece is no doubt a difficult feat to achieve.

Many players have become known for their ability to strike a dead ball, with clubs even prioritising their signings over others for this specialist skill set.

In the current day you'll do well to find a better free-kick taker than James Ward-Prowse, who has netted the second most goals from free-kicks in Premier League history.

David Beckham, who sits first on the Premier League record with 18, was one of the very best takers in the history of the sport. In more recent times, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have shown their prowess from further out as they battled it out for years.

But where do they rank among their peers when it comes to who has scored the most free-kicks in football history? MailSport have delved deep into the archives to bring you the details.

Marcelinho Carioca: 59

Former Corinthains star Marcelinho kicks off the list, having netted 59 free-kicks during his career.

Having made 420 appearances for the Brazilian giants over four spells with the club, the midfielder netted 206 goals during his time there.

With stints at Flamengo, Santos, and Vasco de Gama, Marcelinho was most well known for his time in Brazil but played in Europe with Valencia in 1997.

Deciding to hang up his boots in 2010, Marcelinho re-signed with Corinthians to play one last match - a friendly against Hurucan. During his farewell game Marcelinho wore the number 100 shirt but failed to sign off with a goal. 

Speaking to Globoesporte, Marcelinho discussed his free-kick technique and had some simple advice. 

'The key is getting it on target and letting the 'keeper deal with it. Repetition leads to perfection,' he said.

He was recently part of Brazil's 'The Masked Singer' show and made global news after being reported kidnapped in December 2023. Thankfully, he was found by police and released by his kidnappers.

Rogerio Ceni: 59

By far the most incredible name on the list is that of goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni. Yes, you heard that right... goalkeeper.

Taking penalties as well as free-kicks, Ceni scored 131 times in his 22-year spell in Brazil with Sao Paulo.

However, he never managed to score for Brazil in 17 matches. A real shame. 

Ceni had an incredible strike on him, but his perspective on free-kick taking was different to most.

Speaking to ESPN, he said: 'It's not even football. It's striking a ball,' he said when asked about taking free-kicks. 'It's two things: physics, because you have to hit the ball properly, and psychology, because you have to know where to put it. And you have to remain calm. But many more people could do it, if only, like me, they had the courage.' 

Sao Paulo were clearly confident in Ceni's ability, as a miss would have seen the opposition have the chance to score at an open net on the other side of the pitch. 

Scoring a goal as a goalkeeper is an incredible feat in itself, but netting more than many outfield player get in their career shows just how special Ceni was and we might never see a player like him again. 

 Ronald Koeman: 60

 Moving into the top 10, up step former Barcelona star Ronald Koeman.

The current Netherlands manager, who had stints at Southampton, Everton and Barcelona since his retirement from playing, knew how to strike a ball. 

Scoring 239 goals in his career, 60 of these were from free-kicks - over one quarter!

He's scored one of the most important free-kicks on this list as in 1992 Koeman stepped up to win Barcelona the European Cup, netting in the 112th minute from outside the box.

This goal saw Barcelona crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history. 

 Zico: 62

A third Brazilian makes the list as Zico netted 62 free-kicks in his career.

While being the fifth top-scorer in Brazil's history (having scored 48 goals for his country), many of these came from free-kicks.

Speaking about his emotions when stepping up for a free-kick, as quoted by Bleacher Report, Xico said: 'It's magic, because at that moment everybody is watching and waiting for you.' 

Diego Maradona: 62

 Joint with Zico is one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Diego Maradona.

There wasn't much Maradona couldn't do with a ball, so it was no surprise that he makes this list.

Impressively, Maradona had a huge influence on another free-kick taker who is still to come in the list - Lionel Messi.

In a Daily Mail exclusive, Argentina's fitness coach for the 2010 World Cup revealed Maradona's role in Messi's free-kick technique.

'In February 2009, just a few months after Maradona took over as coach of the national team, we played a friendly against a local team in Marseille,' Signorini writes. 'We practised the day before and, after the session, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez and Messi stayed behind for shooting practice.

'Messi put the ball down and looked up at the goal slightly to his left. When he struck the ball it went some way over the bar to the goalkeeper's right. He was annoyed and headed towards the dressing room passing me as he went. I said, 'Are you going to go and shower after that rubbish? Stop getting annoyed, go and get a ball and try again'.'

Maradona then put his arm around Argentina's number 10 and shared his free-kick secret: 'Don't hurry the shot so much, slow your swing down, because if not the ball does not know what you want it to do.' 

 Cristiano Ronaldo: 63

It's no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo makes the list as one of the only current players to do so.

His knuckle-ball technique has inspired so many of the next generation, including Mason Mount - who attempted to reacrate CR7's form in a viral video as a kid.

His most famous free-kick came against Portsmouth during his time as a Man United player in his first stint at Old Trafford, but he has scored many since. 

While, in recent years, many fans have joked about Ronaldo's free-kick accuracy, the Portugal star showed that he still has it.

Scoring two free-kicks during Al-Nassr's 8-0 win against Abha in April 2024, he moved above Maradona and Zico. 

 Lionel Messi: 65

 Of course Messi joins Ronaldo on this list. The pair are neck and neck on most things, with fans debating over who is the better player.

However, Messi is winning this one as things stand, with two more free-kicks scored than Ronaldo.

As previously mentioned, his technique is inspired by former boss and national icon Maradona - and he is currently five ahead of his idol.

Scoring 50 of these for Barcelona, Messi has also netted several free-kicks for Argentina, PSG and most recently Inter Miami.

 David Beckham: 65

David Beckham has scored the same amount of free-kicks as Lionel Messi and has the most in Premier League history, as it stands.

As previously mentioned, Ward-Prowse, who doesn't make this particular list, is closing in on Beckham's record.

Luckily, Becks has some more breathing space when it comes to this list as he sits in joint fifth place.

Ask any England fan and they'll be able to tell you what his best free-kick was. A fine strike against Greece in 2001 as his side needed a draw to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Trailing 2-1 in the last minute, step up Beckham. The rest is history.

He's also the only player to have a movie named after his free-kick technique: 'Bend it like Beckham'. 

Ronaldinho: 66

Speaking of famous international free-kicks, up steps Ronaldinho on this list.

England fans will remember this one just as they remembered Beckham's, but for the opposite reasons.

At the 2002 World Cup, yes the one that Beckham sent England to with a free-kick, Ronaldinho scored one of his own.

He caught David Seamen out and his goal sparked debate about whether or not he ment it. 

When asked by The Mirror if he really did mean to shoot, he said: 'What basically happened is that I hit my shot too hard and, as it travelled through the air, it swerved more and ended up looping over Seaman. There was nothing he could do about it and I suppose there was an element of luck involved... but a goal is a goal!' 

With 66 free-kick strikes in his career, Ronaldinho is joint third on the most scored of all time.

 Victor Legrottaglie: 66

We'll forgive you if this name doesn't ring any bells as Victor Legrottagile spent his entire career in Argentina.

He may not be as big of a name as Ronaldinho, but he scored as many free-kicks as him and could've been a rival to the Brazilian as Real Madrid were reportedly interested in him.

However, Legrottaglie was happy in Argentina and had no interest in leaving. Despite this, he never received an international call-up, making it even more impressive that he scored 66 free-kicks in his club career.

 Pele: 70 

Pele is no doubt one of the best players football has ever seen, but did you know he was a free-kick master too?

Only playing for Santos and New York Cosmos during his club career, Pele made his name as Brazil's greatest ever player.

Scoring 77 goals in 92 matches, Pele netted plenty of free-kicks in his time. 

He becomes the 5th Brazilian on the list, and you'll never guess what nationality number one is...

 Juninho Pernambucano - 77

 A former Middlesborough player tops the list. Yep.

Juninho is undoubtebly the best free-kick taker of all time, and the stats prove it - although he doesn't think he is.

'It's nice to hear admiration, although I don't really believe it – how can you measure that?' he said, as quoted by FourFourTwo. 'What I feel is that my work was worth it. I gave everything I had – sometimes even more than my body could take. 

'There's only ever the best free-kick-taker of the moment, so maybe there was a moment in which I was the best at it, but that's all. How can I claim that I'm any better than David Beckham or Sinisa Mihajlovic?' 

Interestingly, Mihajlovic scored 38 goals throughout his Serie A career with 28 being free-kicks. He also managed to net a hat-trick of free-kicks once.

However, Juninho holds the record for the most free-kick goals in football history. 

If you haven't gone down the YouTube rabbit hole yet, I strongly reccommend you check out his highlights, you won't be disappointed.

* Stats correct as of 04/04/2024