Lionel Messi, like Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored more than 50 goals for club and country through free kicks. Lionel Messi has scored 50 free-kicks in club football, all for Barcelona and 8 for Argentina. Lionel Messi has scored at least more free-kicks than any player in Europe’s top five leagues over the past five seasons. Last year, the Argentine scored his 650th goal for Barcelona with an excellent free-kick, his 49th for Barcelona. Lionel Messi’s free-kick skill is a relatively new addition to his arsenal.
Free-kick specialist Cristiano Ronaldo prefers to score from a distance rather than close to the penalty area. Ronaldo primarily uses the knuckleball technique to take free kicks, using very little lateral rotation to allow the airflow surrounding the ball to guide its trajectory. Most of Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kicks have been scored for Real Madrid (32), including 13, Manchester United.
It goes without saying that Pelé scored a lot of free-kick goals. The Brazilian has scored most of his career goals from penalties and free kicks and just one goal from open play. Of course, he was not on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo. Victor Legrotallier has scored more free-kicks than some of his most distinguished compatriots, such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Many other players are the best in the business; scoring from free-kicks is not that easy, as shown by these players. A few players from the past were known for scoring from free-kicks. Marcos Assuncao was a very sweet striker of the ball; with a small run, he still generated power and made the ball swerve in both directions; he used to strike the ball so nicely that the ball would dip mid-air.
The skill full Brazilian Ronaldinho was famously known for his tricks while playing on the field. He also took free-kicks very gracefully and has a good scoring record from them. Ronaldinho has shown the football world different types of free kicks, one taken from long range, one from the short-range, and he also scored goals by striking the ball below the defensive wall, which also confused the keeper.
There are many players from this football generation who are better at free-kicks. Paul Pogba is very popular amongst the young fans as he is very good at dribbling and scoring from long range. His ability to score from long range has also helped him achieve goals from the set pieces. His current teammate Bruno the other Portuguese, has also scored some bangers from the short-range free kicks. Kevin De Bruyne, the man who shows magic on the field with his excellent passing skills, is also good at scoring goals from free-kicks. He has scored some beautiful free-kick goals for Manchester City.
There are talented players in the English league, but the only one who comes to mind is Yaya Toure. Yaya scored 20 goals in the 2013/14 season, from which he scored four goals via free kicks. Yaya Toure was a solid man in the midfield and was a good ball striker with equivalent passing skills.
