In football, goals from free kicks always bring a sense of sublimation and drama. The experts who take this shot are not only artists on the field, but also the "secret weapons" of the team. When mentioning the best free kick taker, fans cannot forget the superstars who have turned set pieces into masterpieces. The list below by Wintips will review the 10 best free kick takers today, from creative defenders like Trent Alexander-Arnold, to the living legend Lionel Messi, who continues to fascinate audiences with incredible free kicks.
Top 10 best free-kick takers in football today
10. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold, a 25-year-old Liverpool player, is currently considered one of the best right-backs in the world. Not only is he outstanding for his solid defensive ability, Trent is also a master of taking set-pieces, a skill that few defenders can match. His ability to pass and cross the ball is extremely accurate, creating many scoring opportunities for his teammates. The combination of strength, speed and technique has helped him surpass many other midfielders and defenders.
With those qualities, Trent has affirmed his position in the Premier League, where he has become one of the most creative players. Despite his young age, he has made great contributions to Liverpool, from his assists to his powerful free-kicks. Former Brazilian world champion Cafu has hailed Trent as an "outstanding player" and said he possesses a rare talent, noting that Trent's technique and quality of play are something few players possess.
9. Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes, a Portuguese international and Manchester United captain, is one of the best attacking midfielders at Old Trafford. With his excellent coordination and creativity, Bruno has quickly become a mainstay of the team. Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised him, calling Bruno the perfect combination of two legends Paul Scholes and Juan Sebastián Verón. Bruno's ability to score and assist has made a special mark in the club's history.
In the 2018-19 season, Bruno scored 33 goals, becoming the Portuguese midfielder to score the most goals in a single season, setting an impressive record. Not only that, he was also the top scorer in the Europa League in the 2019-20 season, helping Manchester United advance far in the tournament. With impressive achievements, Bruno Fernandes is not only the soul of the team but also one of the best midfielders in modern European football.
8. Paulo Dybala
Paulo Dybala, nicknamed “La Joya” (The Jewel), is one of the most technically gifted players in world football. With his ability to find the back of the net from distance and his refined style of play, he has proven his worth to every team he has represented. Dybala is a versatile attacking asset, able to play in a variety of positions such as left winger, centre-forward, attacking midfielder, and even false nine. His playing style has been compared to legends such as Del Piero and Sergio Agüero, as he is both skilful and has an excellent goal-scoring ability.
Dybala stands out not only for his individual skill but also for his diligence and high work rate on the pitch. Despite having a low centre of gravity, he always creates breakthroughs in attacks thanks to his creativity and excellent set-pieces. After more than 210 appearances for Juventus, Dybala is now making his mark at Roma, where he recently helped the team reach the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League, continuing to prove his worth at European level.
7. Dani Parejo
Spanish international Dani Parejo has brought much joy and success to Villarreal CF since joining the club in the summer of 2020. After almost a decade with Valencia CF, the move to local rivals Villarreal was not an easy one, especially given the growing rivalry between the two clubs. However, Parejo proved his worth immediately with his creativity and impressive goalscoring ability. He was a key part of Villarreal's 2020-21 UEFA Europa League triumph, making history for the club.
Parejo began his football career at Real Madrid's youth academy, where legend Alfredo Di Stefano hailed him as "the best player the Real Madrid academy has ever seen." Despite failing to make the Real Madrid first team, Parejo’s career continued to flourish and he became one of the best midfielders in La Liga. His control of the game and tactical vision were always decisive factors, helping Parejo make his mark at every team he played for.
6. Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard, a 25-year-old Norwegian international, is the current captain of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. Despite the club missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City in the last two seasons, Ødegaard remains one of the league’s best playmakers. His passing, dribbling and technical ability have often drawn comparisons to Arsenal legend Mesut Özil, who was also known for his creativity and control of the game.
Ødegaard’s footballing knowledge is vast, and at such a young age he has become one of Arsenal’s most potent pressers. His ability to take set-pieces has been a key factor in the North London side’s impressive wins. Ødegaard's free-kick goals against Burnley and AC Milan are still vivid in the memories of Arsenal fans, bringing great joy to the team.
5. Kevin De Bruyne
Describing Kevin De Bruyne's magical presence for Manchester City and Belgium is no easy task, as his brilliance transcends all boundaries. De Bruyne is undeniably one of the most complete and prolific playmakers in European football today. His impressive ability to strike from distance with both feet, combined with his technique, intelligence and physicality, make him a genius at orchestrating play and attacking play.
Captain of the Belgium national team and wearing the number 17 shirt at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne has made over 250 appearances and scored 68 goals for the club. Coached by Pep Guardiola, one of the world's greatest coaches, De Bruyne has always been highly regarded. Guardiola once praised: "Kevin is a special, exceptional player. Without the ball, he is the best fighter, and with the ball, he is very clear - he sees everything." His all-round ability and influence on the pitch are undeniable.
4. Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier is undoubtedly one of the best free-kick takers in the world today, and his inclusion in this list is well deserved. He has been instrumental in Newcastle United qualifying for the 2022-23 Champions League, and was named the club's Player of the Year in 2023. Trippier's ability to take set pieces has not only made him stand out on the pitch, but has also brought success to his team.
Not only does Trippier create spectacular free-kicks, he has also scored at crucial moments, most notably the opener for England in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Croatia in Moscow. His ability to take accurate free-kicks, along with his key passes, has made Trippier one of the premier set-piece specialists in modern English football. His combination of technical excellence and cool head in crucial situations makes him an indispensable player for Newcastle and England.
3. Neymar Jr.
Neymar, the third highest-paid footballer in the world in 2018, is not only known for his dribbling skills but also for his accurate and dangerous free-kicks. Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho once praised Neymar as an outstanding talent, saying, "He is young, and I cannot explain how special he will become. In the next two to three years, he will be the best player". With these compliments, Neymar has proven himself to be one of the brightest talents in modern football.
Neymar had brilliant years at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he scored spectacular goals and played a key role in the team's achievements. He is currently the fourth highest scorer in PSG's history. Neymar's creativity, tactical vision and excellent technique always make him stand out in every match. After conquering Europe, Neymar decided to join Al Hilal, a team in Saudi Arabia, in 2023, opening a new chapter in his international career.
2. James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse is now considered the best free-kick specialist in the world. After more than 340 appearances for Southampton, he joined West Ham United in the 2023-24 season. During his career, Ward-Prowse has scored 17 goals directly from free-kicks, breaking many records and bringing great joy to both Southampton and West Ham fans. His ability to take free-kicks is not only accurate but also creative, making him one of the most important players for the team.
Although he usually plays as a central midfielder, Ward-Prowse can also take on other positions such as attacking midfielder or right-back when needed. Pep Guardiola, the famous coach of Manchester City, once praised Ward-Prowse as "the best free-kick taker I have ever seen in my life". Alongside his free-kick talent, Ward-Prowse is also one of the most physically resilient players, having played every minute of two consecutive Premier League seasons, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his team.
1. Lionel Messi
The boy from Rosario, Lionel Messi, has not only conquered the football world with his outstanding attacking talent but also with his spectacular long-range goals. Although at 37 years old, many people think that Messi is gradually "aging", but his impressive performances still surprise fans. Messi's debut at Inter Miami was a typical example, when he scored from a free kick in the 94th minute, leaving even David Beckham, one of the top free kick specialists, in awe.
Messi, one of the greatest dribblers of all time, possesses outstanding speed and technique, making him a nightmare for every defender. With eight Ballon d'Or awards in his career, Messi is the player who has received this award the most times in history, once in a century. If you have witnessed Messi's inspirational goals, you are truly lucky, because those are priceless football moments.
Conclusion
Free kicks are always the decisive moments, where talent, technique, and composure are tested. Outstanding players such as Lionel Messi, James Ward-Prowse or Neymar not only make their mark but also bring glory to their team with their classy goals. Each successful free kick is not just a goal, but also a work of art, engraved in the hearts of fans. The names on this list are a testament to dedication, practice, and extraordinary creativity. They not only make football more attractive but also inspire the younger generation to continue conquering new heights from set pieces on the pitch.
See more: Ranking the best teams in MLS history: Legends of the League
