The Top 10 Highest-Scoring Free-Kick Takers Off All-Time

Brazilian legend Juninho Pernambucano 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, Sport Club do Recife.

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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.

He imitated compatriot Marcelinho, who fired 59 goals from free-kicks and also makes the list.

"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," he 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.

Brazilian legend Pele is second in the all-time free-kick rankings on 70, though it's unclear how many of that tally were scored in training.

2005 Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldinho is in fourth after scoring 66, with fellow set-piece specialist David Beckham one behind on 65.

Image: PA

Legends Zico and Diego Maradona both notched 62 in their glittering careers, goalscoring defender Ronald Koeman hit 60, while goalkeeping and free-kick scoring phenomenon Rogerio Ceni completes the heavily Brazilian-orientated list.

The 47-year old, now manager of Fortaleza, was tasked with keeping goals out first and foremost but combined with that with a ridiculous ability to score them himself.

The highest-scoring goalkeeper in football history, he netted an incredible 131 career goals - including 59 free-kicks.

Image: PA

Here is the list in cull, courtesy of FootyRoom:

1. Juninho (77 goals)

2. Pele (70 goals)

3. Victor Legrottaglie (66 goals)

4. Ronaldinho (66 goals)

5. David Beckham (65 goals)

6. Diego Maradona (62 goals)

7. Zico (62 goals)

8. Ronald Koeman (60 goals)

9. Rogerio Ceni (59 goals)

10. Marcelinho Carioca (59 goals)

Topics: Football News, Ronaldinho, Football, David Beckham, Juninho, Ronald Koeman, free-kicks

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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