Andrea Pirlo Names Juninho Pernambucano the Greatest Free-Kick Taker in Football History, And It’s Not Messi or CR7

Juninho Pernambucano, the brazailian legend was named as the best freekick taker by the Italian football legend Andrea Pirlo has long been regarded as one of the most technically gifted players in football history. Renowned for his impeccable passing, vision, and free-kick technique, Pirlo has left an indelible mark on the game. However, in a surprising revelation, the former Juventus and AC Milan maestro did not name Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest free-kick taker in football history.

Instead, Pirlo identified Juninho Pernambucano, the Brazilian midfield maestro famous for his unparalleled set-piece ability, as the best free-kick taker the sport has ever seen.

In this article, we explore Pirlo’s reasoning, Juninho’s legendary free-kick prowess, and the impact of his technique on the next generation of footballers.

Andrea Pirlo’s Pick for the Best Free-Kick Taker in History, Juninho Pernambucano

While both Lionel Messi (66 free-kick goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (64 free-kick goals) have demonstrated their world-class set-piece abilities, Pirlo firmly believes Juninho Pernambucano is unmatched.

“I studied Juninho, his technique, collected his DVDs, even old photographs of matches he played,” Pirlo shared in his autobiography, I Think, Therefore I Play.

“During his time at Lyon, he made the ball do extraordinary things. It was as if an orchestra conductor had the baton at his foot instead of his hands.”

This statement alone highlights Juninho’s unique skill set, which has set him apart from the world’s best, including Messi and Ronaldo.

Who is Juninho Pernambucano?

Juninho Pernambucano, widely considered the greatest free-kick specialist in football history, had an astonishing 77 free-kick goals to his name—more than both Messi and Ronaldo.

His reputation was built during his time at Olympique Lyonnais, where he developed a distinctive free-kick technique that left goalkeepers helpless.

Why Was Juninho So Effective at Free Kicks?

Juninho’s ability to generate unpredictable movement on the ball made him an exceptional free-kick taker. His “knuckleball” technique, which causes the ball to dip, swerve, and change direction mid-air, baffled goalkeepers worldwide.

Unlike the conventional curling technique used by Messi or the powerful strikes favored by Ronaldo, Juninho’s method relied on:

Minimal spin on the ball
Perfectly timed contact to create unpredictable flight patterns
Precise ball placement, even from extreme distances

Pirlo was one of the many footballers who attempted to emulate Juninho’s set-piece mastery, but even he admitted that Juninho’s technique was in a league of its own.

Pirlo’s Admiration for Juninho: Learning from the Best

Pirlo, known for his legendary free-kick abilities at AC Milan, Juventus, and the Italian national team, was so inspired by Juninho that he tried to copy his methods.

“I’m Italian, but there’s a Brazilian part of me: Pirlinho,” Pirlo humorously wrote.

“When I take free kicks, I think in Portuguese, and most of the time, I celebrate in my native language.”

His statement shows the deep admiration he had for Juninho and how the Brazilian influenced his own game.

Juninho
Messi
Pirlo https://t.co/DbjvaWkvdt

— 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒖𝒔 𝑲𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊 (@MKianzongani) July 27, 2024

Juninho Pernambucano’s Successor: Miralem Pjanic

While Juninho’s legendary free-kick ability remains unmatched, he himself identified a worthy successor—Miralem Pjanic.

After retiring, Juninho acknowledged that Pjanic had the closest technique to his own and praised his consistency in set-pieces.

Juninho’s Praise for Pjanic

“Pjanic has incredible quality. He is possibly the best free-kick taker in the world today—no, I’m sure of it,” Juninho told L’Équipe in 2015.

“He’s very efficient and, above all, consistent, which is the hardest part. He has many variations in his shots and can adjust his technique based on the distance,” he added.

Pjanic, who played with Juninho at Lyon, absorbed as much knowledge as possible from the Brazilian maestro before leaving the club.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Where Do They Rank in Free-Kick History?

Despite Juninho’s clear dominance in free-kick goal statistics, Messi and Ronaldo have also left their mark as two of the greatest set-piece takers of all time.

Messi’s Free-Kick Brilliance

Messi has evolved into a world-class free-kick taker over the years. His ability to curl the ball over defensive walls with pinpoint accuracy makes him one of the best in modern football.

Ronaldo’s Trademark Knuckleball

Ronaldo, on the other hand, perfected the knuckleball technique that allows the ball to move unpredictably in the air. His most famous free-kick goals include his 40-yard rocket vs. Portsmouth in the Premier League and his stunning strike against Spain in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Although Pirlo believes Juninho surpasses both Messi and Ronaldo, their contributions to set-piece mastery cannot be overlooked.

Conclusion: The Greatest Free-Kick Taker of All Time?

While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers in history, Andrea Pirlo believes Juninho Pernambucano is the undisputed king of free-kicks.

His 77 career free-kick goals, combined with his revolutionary technique, have solidified his place as the best free-kick taker of all time.

Even Pirlo—one of the best set-piece takers in Italian football history—studied Juninho’s technique in hopes of replicating it. That alone speaks volumes about the Brazilian’s greatness.

In the end, the GOAT debate will always be subjective, but when it comes to free-kicks, Juninho Pernambucano reigns supreme.

Andrea Pirlo: “I watched Juninho a lot and I ended up copying his style.” pic.twitter.com/iW6atlTLcS

— Players Sayings (@PlayersSayings) February 26, 2016