Who is the best free-kick taker in the world?
Our American buddies at The Offside filled me in on the Free Kick Masters, a special tournament featuring some of the world’s best ‘free-kickers’ competing against some of the world’s best goalkeepers in a free-kick shootout. The event takes place on 22nd December at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. It’s a bit like the NBA’s dunk contest, I guess. The line-up of talent includes Ronaldinho (pictured), Alessandro Del Piero, Luis Figo, Lionel Messi, Jay Jay Okocha and David Villa. However, David Beckham is nowhere to be seen. Nor is Lyon’s Brazilian maestro Juninho, widely considered to be one of the world’s best free-kick specialists. Bit of a sponsored circus if you ask me, aimed at making soccerball more ‘razzmatazzy’ for our American cousins. Probably be fun to watch though.
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Juninho got my vote but little Sneijder from real madrid is quickly climbing on my list. Did you see his goal from this week? He nearly put another fk in as well.
Yep, good call Tom – Sneijder can hit ‘em sweet
where is Sneijder?… sure he is up there with the top.
Barry Robson!!
Juninho is like 98% free kick ability on PES6, nuff said. Messi could probably walk on water if he put his mind to it but I’ve never seen him take a free kick.
Juninho’s nickname is Mr. 50/50 because half of his free kicks result in a goal (either directly, or indirectly.) Of course the stat is a bit embellished, but he’s really good. Also, as I vote, he’s in the lead with 50%!!!
Sneijder.
Del Piero!
Sneijder fo sho
kolo toure
^^^ Ha you beat me to it. Why do we still bother with Toure on long range FKs?
Anyway, Juninho got my vote. Nakamura is quickly rising up the list though.
There are not that many who are as consistent as del piero. Can’t let this pass without a shout out for Gareth Bale. Class.
shunsuke!
Harouken!
GOAL!
Rangers Charlie Adam? Scored almost as many are Nakamura last season.
Kristine Lilly
My initial thought was Juninho, but you have to give strong consideration to Beckham. I love watching him take free kicks. It is definitely his specialty and the main reason he’s on the field today. He tries to teach Reggie Bush how to take them in this video. It’s pretty funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_PyFiVkSiY
Alvaro Recoba!
Alan Thompson, check him out on youtube!
Sneijder’s really, really good–and not just on free kicks. If the Dutch ever figure out how to play defense, they will ravage every team in the world. Plus, they can have both Van Persie and Sneijder take frees–keepers will surely be wearing Depends when that comes to fruition.
Assuncao !!!
inigo idiakez
juninho the best of all time!!!no doubt