Few skills in football are as valuable as the ability to score directly from a free-kick. Whether it’s precise curlers, powerful knuckleballs, or pinpoint accuracy from range, the best free-kick takers have the ability to change games in an instant. Here’s a ranking of the top 10 active free-kick specialists in the world.
10. Hulk – Atlético Mineiro & Brazil
Hulk is known for sheer power rather than finesse. His free-kicks are often struck with incredible force, making them difficult for goalkeepers to handle. Whether from long range or closer to goal, his strikes are unpredictable and often devastating.
9. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City & Belgium
De Bruyne’s free-kick ability mirrors his passing—precise, technically sound, and difficult to stop. While he doesn’t take all of Manchester City’s set-pieces due to the number of specialists in the squad, he has delivered crucial free-kick goals over the years, relying on placement rather than raw power.
8. Ángel Di María – Benfica & Argentina
Di María’s left foot has produced some stunning free-kick goals throughout his career. His ability to combine curl and power makes him a dangerous option in dead-ball situations. Though not always the primary free-kick taker for his teams, he has the quality to deliver when needed.
7. Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United & Portugal
Fernandes is Manchester United’s main set-piece specialist, with a free-kick technique that blends accuracy and power. His strikes often have enough dip and curl to beat goalkeepers, making him a key threat from outside the box.
6. Neymar – Santos & Brazil
Neymar is a finesse-based free-kick taker, relying on precise curl and deception rather than power. He has delivered crucial set-piece goals for club and country, with his ability to bend the ball around the wall making him a consistent threat.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr & Portugal
Ronaldo’s knuckleball technique was once among the most feared in the game. While his free-kick conversion rate has dipped in recent years, he still possesses the ability to score from distance, with his sheer power and unpredictability making him a threat from long range. With over 60 career free-kick goals, his legacy as a set-piece specialist is already secure.
4. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool & England
Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool’s primary free-kick taker, and his technique is among the best in the Premier League. His ability to generate both power and swerve allows him to score from a variety of angles, making him a crucial weapon in Liverpool’s attacking play.
3. James Ward-Prowse – West Ham United & England
Ward-Prowse has built a reputation as one of the most consistent free-kick takers in modern football. With 18 direct free-kick goals in the Premier League, he is second only to David Beckham in the all-time rankings. His ability to get the ball over the wall with minimal backlift is unmatched, making him a specialist from anywhere around the box.
2. Hakan Çalhanoğlu – Inter Milan & Turkey
Çalhanoğlu is one of the most technically gifted free-kick takers in Europe. He has scored over 20 career free-kick goals, with a technique that combines precision, dip, and power. His ability to score from distance makes him one of Serie A’s most feared dead-ball specialists.
1. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami & Argentina
Messi is the undisputed best free-kick taker in world football today. With over 65 career free-kick goals, he is the active player with the most free-kick goals. He has refined his technique to perfection. His ability to pick out corners, deceive goalkeepers, and score from a variety of angles makes him the most dangerous player from set-pieces. Whether at Barcelona, PSG, or Inter Miami, he continues to deliver magic from dead balls, cementing his place at the top of this list.
Notable Mentions
While these players didn’t make the top 10, they are still among the best free-kick takers in the game today:
11. James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur & England) – A consistent set-piece taker with the ability to curl efforts into the top corner.
12. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland) – More known for his finishing inside the box, but has scored some stunning free-kicks with precise placement.
13. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United & England) – A right-back with a superb dead-ball technique, famous for his 2018 World Cup free-kick.
14. Cole Palmer (Chelsea & England) – A rising talent with excellent technique and confidence from set-pieces.
15. Dani Parejo (Villarreal & Spain) – A veteran with years of experience delivering crucial free-kick goals in La Liga.
