The 10 Players with the Most Free Kick Goals in 2025

The 10 Players with the Most Free Kick Goals in 2025 showcases the elite footballers who mastered the art of bending the ball past walls and goalkeepers throughout the year. From jaw-dropping curlers to thunderous long-range strikes, this list celebrates the dead-ball specialists who turned set pieces into scoring opportunities with remarkable consistency. Whether it was a last-minute equalizer or a decisive match-winner, these players delivered when their teams needed them most. In a year packed with footballing drama, free kicks added an extra layer of excitement to games across top leagues and international stages.

2025 has seen some unforgettable moments from players whose technique, vision, and execution have raised the bar for free kick goals. This countdown includes global icons and a few surprising names who lit up the pitch with their precision and flair. We take a closer look at their goal tallies, highlight-reel moments, and the unique skills that made them stand out. If you’re a football enthusiast fascinated by the art of the set piece or simply want to see who topped the charts in this specialized skill, this list delivers. Dive in and relive the top free kick goals of 2025—each one a perfect blend of power and finesse.

10. Dries Mertens — Serie A Dead-Ball Specialist

Dries Mertens has continued to demonstrate why he is one of Serie A’s most dangerous free-kick takers in the 2024–25 season. His ability to curve the ball over walls with pinpoint accuracy and deliver goals from set-pieces remains a vital weapon for his club. Although only scoring two direct free-kick goals this season, each of his strikes showed a perfect combination of power, precision, and timing. Mertens’ technique is honed through years of experience, where he reads the goalkeeper’s positioning and the defensive setup to find just the right spot to place his shots.

Beyond the technical skill, Mertens’ mental composure during these moments is crucial. Free kicks can often decide matches, and his calmness under pressure makes him a reliable asset for his team. His free-kick goals in the 2024–25 season have not only contributed points but also boosted team morale and momentum. In a league filled with talented dead-ball specialists, Mertens holds his ground as a consistent performer when set-piece opportunities arise. Fans and analysts alike appreciate the artistry in his free-kick execution, making him a memorable figure in this season’s top free-kick goal scorers.

9. James Ward-Prowse — Premier League’s Set-Piece Maestro

James Ward-Prowse is synonymous with free-kick excellence in the Premier League, and the 2024–25 season was no different. Known for his razor-sharp technique and ability to place the ball in the most unexpected parts of the goal, Ward-Prowse scored two crucial direct free-kick goals during the campaign. His delivery is not just about power but also incredible finesse, allowing the ball to curl around walls and dip just in time to beat the goalkeeper.

Ward-Prowse’s free kicks are a combination of repetition, study, and instinct. He practices tirelessly, studying goalkeepers’ weaknesses and refining his approach to each kick. This season, his goals have been game-changers, providing West Ham with valuable points in tight matches. His role extends beyond scoring as he also frequently provides dangerous set-piece deliveries for teammates to capitalize on. In a league that prizes physicality and pace, Ward-Prowse’s technical prowess sets him apart, making him one of the Premier League’s most feared free-kick takers. His ability to remain consistent season after season ensures he will be remembered among the best dead-ball specialists.

8. Michael Olise — Rising Free-Kick Talent

Michael Olise has emerged as one of the promising free-kick talents in European football during the 2024–25 season. Having moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, Olise impressed fans and critics alike by scoring two stunning free-kick goals across competitions. His youth, combined with a natural flair for set-pieces, has made him an exciting player to watch in tight situations.

Olise’s free-kick style is characterized by a smooth approach, steady pace, and sharp curve, which often leaves goalkeepers helpless. He approaches the ball with confidence, and his ability to strike from various distances allows him flexibility in dead-ball scenarios. More importantly, his tactical awareness of when to take the shot and how to disguise his intentions makes his free kicks difficult to predict.

Despite being relatively young compared to the other seasoned free-kick takers, Olise has demonstrated maturity and composure in these high-pressure moments. If he continues to develop and refine his skillset, he could soon join the ranks of the most prolific free-kick scorers in world football.

7. Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United’s Set-Piece Threat

Bruno Fernandes has consistently been a major threat from free-kicks for Manchester United, and his 2024–25 season was no exception. With two direct free-kick goals across competitions, Fernandes’ ability to convert set-piece chances has played a significant role in United’s attacking arsenal. His combination of power and precision makes his free kicks particularly challenging for goalkeepers.

Fernandes’ preparation for free kicks goes beyond just practice—he studies the defensive wall, goalkeeper positioning, and conditions such as wind and pitch quality. This detailed preparation allows him to adjust his technique and select the best approach for each kick. His success rate from free kicks is a testament to his dedication and technical skill.

Moreover, Fernandes’ leadership on the pitch extends to set-piece situations. His confidence inspires teammates and often forces opponents to be extra cautious around him. The two free-kick goals he scored during this season have been vital in key matches, showing his clutch ability. His presence ensures that Manchester United remain a constant threat from dead-ball situations.

6. Sandro Ramírez — La Liga’s Dead-Ball Specialist

Sandro Ramírez has maintained his reputation as one of La Liga’s dangerous free-kick takers during the 2024–25 season. Scoring two direct free-kick goals, Ramírez’s set-piece prowess is marked by his ability to consistently beat the wall and goalkeeper with well-placed shots. His technical skills enable him to deliver free kicks that combine accuracy, pace, and deception.

Ramírez’s free-kick goals have come at critical moments for his club, often swinging momentum in tight games. His ability to read the game and choose the right moments to unleash his shots makes him an asset in dead-ball scenarios. In addition to scoring, he regularly serves as a key creator from free-kicks, delivering dangerous balls into the box for teammates.

His approach to free kicks is methodical, focusing on body positioning and ball striking technique. Ramírez’s free-kick success has earned him respect from fans and opponents alike, solidifying his role as one of La Liga’s reliable dead-ball specialists.

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5. Gaëtan Perrin — Lyon’s Set-Piece Expert

Gaëtan Perrin has been a valuable asset for Olympique Lyonnais in the 2024–25 season, particularly through his free-kick contributions. With two direct free-kick goals, Perrin has showcased his ability to turn set pieces into scoring chances. His technique blends power with finesse, enabling him to place the ball with surgical precision.

Perrin’s role extends beyond just scoring; he is a key provider of dangerous free kicks that create chances for his teammates. His delivery is often unpredictable, making it difficult for defenders and goalkeepers to anticipate. Perrin’s consistent performance in free kicks has added a crucial dimension to Lyon’s attack.

His free-kick success is also the result of extensive preparation and a strong understanding of match situations. By reading the defensive setup and goalkeeper tendencies, Perrin optimizes his execution. His two goals this season have been instrumental in several important games, marking him as one of Ligue 1’s notable dead-ball specialists.

4. Nadiem Amiri — Mainz’s Free-Kick Threat

Nadiem Amiri has emerged as a significant free-kick threat for Mainz 05 during the 2024–25 Bundesliga season. His two direct free-kick goals stand out not just for their quality but also their timing, often coming at pivotal moments. Amiri’s technique relies on precision and a keen eye for target placement, which helps him convert opportunities from dead-ball situations.

His free-kick style is characterized by a smooth run-up and the ability to curl the ball over or around the defensive wall. Amiri’s goals often leave goalkeepers with little chance due to the combination of speed and placement. He also possesses the ability to adjust his technique based on the distance and angle, making him versatile in set-piece execution.

Amiri’s free-kick goals contribute not just to the scoreboard but also to his team’s overall confidence. His consistency and composure under pressure have made him a dependable option whenever Mainz earns a free kick in shooting range. He continues to develop his reputation as a specialist in dead-ball situations.

3. Lionel Messi — The Magic Continues

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine, remains a master of free kicks even in the 2024–25 season. His two direct free-kick goals for Inter Miami and Argentina during this period have reminded fans of his extraordinary ability to bend the ball with precision. Messi’s free kicks are marked by their elegance and unpredictability, often leaving goalkeepers helpless.

Despite advancing years, Messi’s technique remains impeccable. He combines a unique blend of curve, pace, and placement, often targeting the top corners or exploiting slight goalkeeper positioning errors. His free-kick goals this season have come at crucial moments, reinforcing his status as a clutch performer.

Beyond individual brilliance, Messi’s free-kick expertise adds a strategic dimension to his teams. Opponents are forced to respect his dead-ball threat, which opens up space elsewhere on the pitch. Messi’s free kicks are a blend of natural talent, refined skill, and decades of experience, making him one of the most feared set-piece takers globally.

2. Declan Rice — Breakthrough Free-Kick Sensation

Declan Rice’s 2024–25 season was highlighted by a remarkable breakthrough as a free-kick specialist. Scoring two direct free-kick goals in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, Rice stunned fans and analysts alike. These goals were his first-ever career free-kick strikes, making his performance historic.

Rice’s free-kick style is notable for its power and accuracy. His goals in the high-pressure setting of a Champions League knockout match demonstrated his composure and technical skill. Rice’s success was unexpected, as he had not been known for free-kick scoring before this moment.

His emergence as a dead-ball threat adds a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack. Opponents now must prepare for Rice’s free kicks, providing his teammates with more opportunities. His historic double free-kick performance will be remembered as a defining moment in his career.

1. Omar Marmoush — 2024–25 Free-Kick King

Omar Marmoush stands as the undisputed free-kick king of the 2024–25 season. With three direct free-kick goals scored across Bundesliga and Europa League matches, Marmoush outpaced all others in this specialized skill. His goals showcased a blend of power, precision, and creativity.

Marmoush’s ability to score consecutive free kicks in crucial matches reflects his exceptional technique and mental strength. His run of three free-kick goals in just over a week made headlines and earned him comparisons to some of the game’s greatest dead-ball specialists.

Beyond just scoring, Marmoush is a consistent set-piece taker for his team, providing dangerous deliveries even when not shooting directly. His rise in this season emphasizes his growing importance and skill level. As the 2024–25 free-kick leader, Marmoush has firmly established himself as one of football’s premier dead-ball talents.

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