Power Rankings: Best Free Kick Takers
AZKicksIt has its own set of Power Rankings, but we do things a little differently. Instead of ranking the strongest teams around, we rank everything else in the world of soccer. Today, the world’s best free kick artists are being counted down with some of their best goals being shared.
Previous Power Rankings
Best Hair
Worst Divers
Best Celebrations
Worst Goalkeeping
Worst USMNT Jerseys
5. Roberto Carlos
He may not have the same pedigree as the rest of the men on this list, but the goal in the video here shows why Roberto Carlos deserves to be at least number five on this list. The spin he generates to make the ball go around the wall and back toward goal here is almost indescribable.
4. David Beckham
He may not tally the free kick goals today at the same pace that he once did, but David Beckham used to be a threat for goal anytime his team had a free kick near goal. This one guaranteed England a place in the 2002 World Cup.
3. Ronaldinho
Speaking of the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho dashed England’s hopes at the Cup with this long distance free kick in the tournament en route to another Brazilian title. But this is only one of many amazing goals from Ronaldinho, with those from his Barcelona days still being hard to believe.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
In the debate of who is the best player today, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both make good arguments. However, when it comes to free kicks between the two, Ronaldo undeniably takes the cake.
1. Juninho
He may now be on the last legs of his career, but Juninho has consistently been the best scorer from free kicks over the past ten years. He may not possess the devastating power or curve of Ronaldo, but his pinpoint accuracy on a dead ball is what makes him the greatest free kick taker today.
What do you think about the rankings? Did we get it right? Let us know and feel free to submit ideas for future editions of Power Rankings in the comments below.
I’d throw Shunsuke Nakamura in there, too. Dude regularly puts em in for Celtic. Ruthless.
A ‘Best Olimpicos’ list would be interesting…
Please….I through in Diego Forlan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Forl%C3%A1n
Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
J
Yeah man, we all know who Forlan is. But he is not one of the great free kick takers.