Top 10 Best free-kick takers in football history

Top 10 Best free-kick takers in football history

Top 10 best free-kick takers of all time

The best 10 free-kick takers in history When the referee blows his whistle, awarding a direct free-kick to one of the teams you support, the crowd stands and eagerly awaits what that ball will bring. How fortunate would your team be if it had a player with high-quality execution, undoubtedly making it equivalent to a penalty kick?

Who is the best free-kick taker in the world?

In this article, we will present the masters of this specialty, the top 10 free-kick takers in history:

1. Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil).
2. David Beckham (England).
3. Zico (Brazil).
4. Sinisa Mihajlovic (Serbia).
5. Alessandro Del Piero (Italy).
6. Diego Maradona (Argentina).
7. Gianfranco Zola (Italy).
8. Andrea Pirlo (Italy).
9. Michel Platini (France).
10. Roberto Baggio (Italy).

Top 10 best free-kick takers in the world history all-time

10- Roberto Baggio (Italy)

Roberto Baggio (Italy)

One of the most dangerous specialists in free kicks in the last 30 years, Baggio's kicks were executed with high-level technique, intelligence, and unique creativity. These set pieces formed a significant part of his career that no one can dispute.

Place any ball in any position around the 18-yard area, and it will be like a gift for him, considering his multiple shooting techniques. The goalkeepers do not know whether he will shoot over the wall, under it, or at any angle.

9- Michel Platini (France)

Michel Platini (France)

The famous French playmaker in the 1980s and the greatest European player of his time, he is a true legend in the world of football with his magical passes and amazing goals, which included direct free kicks as a significant part of his game.

Platini, the winner of 3 Ballon d'Or awards, had shots that he released with exquisite sensitivity and smoothness. The ball would rise above the defensive wall and settle behind the goalkeeper. It seemed very simple, but it was extremely deadly.

8- Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

The star that needs no introduction, a true maestro in the midfield, and the older he gets, the better he becomes and the more he excels on the field.

He has a great record in Italy with AC Milan and Juventus, and this is sufficient evidence to demonstrate his mastery of free kicks. With calmness and confidence, he will place the ball inside the net. Be cautious not to make a mistake in front of Pirlo, especially near the forbidden area.

7- Gianfranco Zola (Italy)

Gianfranco Zola (Italy)

was a genius and a threat to his competitors during his time. He excelled in the Italian league from Napoli to Parma, and even in the English Premier League with Chelsea.

His set-piece deliveries were exceptional, with impeccable execution. The former Blues star was a terrifying devil to opponents who also respected him. Zola's philosophy was simple, as he would place the ball wherever he wanted. Although he may have occasionally failed in doing so, he repeatedly achieved it.

6- Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Perhaps the greatest player in the history of football, or at least that's how many classify him. He led Argentina with a tremendous individual effort to win the 1986 World Cup and amazed the world with his skills, especially in Barcelona and Naples.

Although everyone will remember Maradona only for his legendary dribbles and accurate passes, the number 10 was also useful for the teams he played for in executing set pieces.

He used his left foot to place the ball wherever he wanted it to be, and this is not surprising for one of the greatest players of the game ever.

5- Alessandro Del Piero (Italy)

Alessandro Del Piero (Italy)

The legend of legends of Juventus throughout the ages, and one of the most well-known features about him is his great loyalty to the Bianconeri, a trait that will always earn him constant respect from Juventus fans and even football lovers in general, as almost everyone loves him.

Del Piero demonstrated exceptional professionalism throughout his career in scoring goals in various scenarios, using countless methods and unlimited means.

4- Sinisa Mihajlovic (Serbia)

Sinisa Mihajlovic (Serbia)

Believe me, this player and current coach deserves the first place, but... (I couldn't find what to say), he played as a libero in defense and he wasn't a great defender as much as he acquired that skill in executing free kicks throughout the 14 full years he played in the golden era of Serie A at that time.

Despite his controversial personality, with many red cards during his football career, no one can deny his great mastery in executing those set-piece balls.

His left foot was like a beast or a hammer, capable of hitting any net and any goalkeeper at any time, whether Mihajlovic hit it on the right or left side, defenders and goalkeepers would be in trouble.

3- Zico (Brazil)

Zico (Brazil)

Once upon a time, during a certain era, Zico, the former Brazilian midfielder, was a true benchmark for set pieces. He showcased the importance of these violations and developed them during the 1970s and 1980s.

Zico possesses immense technique and control that make his shots out of reach for goalkeepers. Now you know who the pioneer of free kicks in the history of football is.

2- David Beckham (England)

David Beckham (England)

It seems like David Beckham was prepared by Sir Alex Ferguson to become one of the greatest specialists in direct free kicks in history since the late 1990s. Then he would come out and become a beast for anyone who made a mistake and gave the ball to Beckham. It would be like planting a thorn in the heart of his own team.

Those perfectly curved balls with extraordinary precision made him score free kicks with ease. The former Manchester United star could make the ball fly into the goal while the goalkeeper remained motionless, leaving the rest of the players in awe and shock, perhaps anticipating it beforehand.

1- Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil)

Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil)

The best free-kick player is undoubtedly Juninho, the Brazilian who developed his execution-style over the 8 years he spent in France with Olympique Lyon.

Many players have tried to imitate him in taking set pieces like Giggs, Drogba, and Cristiano, but none came close to the level of mastery of the former Lyon star.

Juninho makes the balls fly in the air and move on their own, right and left, in all directions before finding the net.

Believe me, no matter how far the ball is, even in the middle of the field, the results will be harsh for the opponents in any case, and no player like him has come who possesses that scoring percentage from fouls.

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