Top 11 footballers with most free kick goals in history; Lionel Messi overtakes Pele
These players have been the best in dead-ball situations from outside the box.
Footballers have shown the world different types of goals, be it from corners, from one half of the pitch to the other, and from penalties.
Free kicks are one of the most difficult skills in football, requiring precision, power, and technique. Only a few players in history have mastered it.
Scoring free kicks consistently is something which rarely happens in football. We know how James Ward-Prowse & Dominik Szoboszlai are absolutely special in this category. However, even Ward-Prowse & Dominik Szoboszlai are not on the list for the most free kick goals. Many Brazilians have found their way into this list, which speaks a lot about their talent.
Which player has the most free kick goals in football history?
Juninho has the free kick goals in football history with 77 to his name.
Here’s a list of the players with the most free kick goals in football history, with Lionel Messi now surpassing Pelé.
| Rank | Player | Freekick Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juninho | 77 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | 71 |
| 3 | Pele | 70 |
| 4 | Ronaldinho | 66 |
| 5 | David Beckham | 65 |
| 6 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 64 |
| 7 | Diego Maradona | 62 |
| 8 | Zico | 62 |
| 9 | Ronald Koeman | 60 |
| 10 | Rogério Ceni | 59 |
| 11 | Marcelinho Carioca | 59 |
Let’s take a look at the top 11 footballers with the most free kick goals in history:
11. Marcelinho Carioca – 59
The Brazilian has had quite a dramatic career. Having problems with many coaches and playing at 13 different football clubs. Carioca loved football a lot and also played beach soccer after his professional career was over. Carioca earned the nickname “Pé-de-Anjo” because of his excellent free kick record.
Overall, he managed to score 59 official free kick goals throughout his career.
10. Rogério Ceni – 59
Ceni scored 131 goals throughout his career, out of which 59 were official free kick goals. The most surprising and impressive fact is that he was a goalkeeper. Ceni has stated that he had practised thousands of free kicks before taking one in a game.
He is the goalkeeper with the most free kick goals, most goals and most penalty goals. Rogério played for almost two decades with São Paulo and amassed 1237 appearances throughout his career.
9. Ronald Koeman – 60
Koeman earned a bad reputation because of his managerial stint at FC Barcelona. However, that does not change the fact that he is a legendary defender. Even as a defender, Koeman scored goals quite regularly.
Koeman is on the list for most goals scored by a defender as well. Ronald has scored 194 goals in his career. Koeman had played at PSV, Ajax, Holland and FC Barcelona.
Koeman also scored 60 official free kick goals, which is an astounding number for a defender.
8. Zico – 62
Many consider him the father of free kicks in football history. Zico had perfected the art of scoring free kicks. The Brazilian used his innate talent and ability to score free kicks.
Zico could curve the ball wherever he wanted, making his free kicks very unpredictable. He managed to score 62 free kick goals throughout his career.
7. Diego Maradona – 62
Argentina’s footballing God, alongside Lionel Messi, Maradona has achieved many wonders throughout his career. Winning the World Cup and Serie A with Napoli. However, it is not surprising that the Argentine has found his way into this list as well.
Maradona had scored 62 free kick goals throughout his career. Many players like Andrea Pirlo and Lionel Messi have based their free kicks on Maradona’s method.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo – 64
Ronaldo, who is the highest goalscorer in football history, has scored an incredible 64 free kick goals in his illustrious career. He has scored free kicks from all angles, sometimes even from impossible angles and from various distances throughout his career.
5. David Beckham – 65
Beckham is famously known for his passing range and his excellent free kick ability. David Beckham scored 65 free kick goals throughout his career. However, his most important free kick goal came for England.
Beckham had a bad run at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he was sent off in the Round of 16. Three years later, in the World Cup playoffs, England’s captain rightfully earned the chance to redeem himself. Beckham stepped up in the 93rd minute and scored the perfect free kick goal against Greece, which sent England to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
4. Ronaldinho – 66
The Brazilian phenomenon, an idol for many, of Messi’s mentors, Ronaldinho, is famous for various things. At first, it was presumed that Ronaldinho’s main strength was his dribbling ability. However, his knack for scoring goals, especially free kick goals, has put him on this list.
Be it his flair, dribbling skills, shooting, or his life outside of football, one thing is certain: Ronaldinho loves football. Many consider him one of the most talented footballers of all time. He achieved wonders.
Ronaldinho has scored 66 free kick goals throughout his career, which is extremely impressive.
3. Pele – 70
The God of football. Pele did it before anyone else. Be it skills, bicycle kicks, or scorpion kicks, much of modern football has risen from Pelé’s brilliance.
The best Brazilian footballer of all time is in the league of Messi and Ronaldo. It is no surprise that Pele has 70 free kick goals, considering his 750 official career goals in context. Pele relied on his pace and power to score his free kick goals.
2. Lionel Messi – 71
Arguably the most talented footballer of all time. Messi still has work to do to get his way into another football record. Lionel Messi has scored many breathtaking free kicks over the years.
Arguably, his best free kick was against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. Messi recently scored a very crucial free kick goal for Inter Miami vs FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Messi’s consistency can easily take him to the top two spots for most free kick goals.
Lionel Messi joined MLS side Inter Miami in 2023. The Argentine has been the game-changer and has already scored a couple of free kicks. He will look to add more before he retires from the sport.
Messi now has 71 free kick goals to his name and has over taken Pele.
1. Juninho – 77
It is still a surprise for many fans to read this name. However, Juninho is arguably the best when it comes to free kicks. Unlike others, Juninho had perfected his own technique.
Many players often relied on bending/curving the ball. On the other hand, Juninho had mastered the “knuckleball” technique. A technique in which the ball moves in an extremely unpredictable manner. This technique led to him scoring 77 free kick goals, which puts him down as the best free kick taker in football.
Who has the most free kicks in football history?
Juninho, who was known for his “knuckleball” technique, has 77 free kicks to his name.
How many free kicks does Lionel Messi have?
He has scored as 71 free kicks in his career.
How many free kicks has Cristiano Ronaldo scored from?
Ronaldo also has a decent record. He is five behind Messi, on 64.
Why is Juninho considered the best free kick taker?
Juninho mastered the knuckleball technique, making his shots unpredictable.
**This article was last updated on 23 March, 2026.
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Hardik is a journalist and Senior Assistant Editor at Khel Now. A graduate of Maharaja Agrasen College, Delhi University, he brings a versatile skill set to the table with experience in writing, editing, and on-camera work. A passionate follower of Manchester United, Lewis Hamilton, and CM Punk. He combines his love for sports with sharp editorial insight.