Messi, Ronaldo Snubbed On Elite Free-kick List

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi may have emerged as the new king of free-kicks, but neither he nor Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo featured in the list of world top 10 free-kick takers ever.

Messi, on a hot streak in front of goal in 2019,
has scored from dead ball in each of his last three league appearances for the Blaugrana , sparking debate he is the greatest free-kick taker of all time.

But according to reports released by GiveMeSport on Friday, Former Lyon star, Juninho Pernambucano tops the list with 77 free-kick goals before he retired in 2013.

Coming in behind Juninho is his illustrious compatriot, the legendary Pele himself who reportedly scored 70 free-kick goals.

Former Barca talisman and two-time World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, is tied in third with 66 free-kick goals, while ex-Manchester United winger David Beckham had 65 goals from the dead ball.

Messi and Ronaldo, on 47 and 53 free-kick goals respectively, surprisingly miss out on the elite list.

Below is the list of top 10 world free-kick takers ever:

1. Juninho – 77 goals
2. Pele – 70 goals
3. Legrottaglie – 66 goals
4. Ronaldinho – 66 goals
5. Beckham – 65 goals
6. Maradona – 62 goals
7. Zico – 62 goals
8. Ronald Koeman – 60 goals
9. Ceni – 59 goals
10. Carioca – 59 goals.