There have been some truly remarkable free kick takers throughout football history.
Manchester United in particular have been treated to a few, with both Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham tormenting opponents from dead ball situations over the years.
The latter even boasts the most free kicks in Premier League history with 18 to his name, although James Ward-Prowse is close to matching that record with 17 and counting.
Sir Alex Ferguson witnessed all 18 of these free kicks by Beckham during his time working with the footballing icon at Old Trafford – but the Glaswegian actually opted to side with Ronaldo when discussing who is better at free kicks back in 2008.
Sir Alex Ferguson said Cristiano Ronaldo is a better free kick taker than David Beckham
After the Portugal international scored that free kick against Portsmouth back in 2008 – a thumping knuckleball effort which left David James stranded – the Scot said nobody at Manchester United takes them better, not even Beckham.
Utterly outrageous 😍@Cristiano‘s iconic free-kick against Portsmouth from 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 angle 📐
The greatest free-kick in #PL history? pic.twitter.com/VqllsQBUkc
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 20, 2021
Ferguson claimed: “No goalkeeper in the world would have stopped it. It was, without doubt, the best free kick I’ve seen in the Premier League.
“It was a fantastic strike, within two or three inches of the upright. Of (all) the players who have taken free kicks for us, the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham – he was pretty good – and Eric Cantona, but Cristiano’s strike rate is phenomenal. It’s reward for all the practice he puts in on the training pitch with the other players.
“It is a delight to see them whacking balls out there – it means we can go inside and have a cup of tea!”
Both Beckham and Ronaldo possessed very different techniques.
Beckham – a Manchester United academy product – made the curled free kick famous, adopting his trademark stance in standing besides the ball, before leaning back a great deal while opening his body up.
In stark contrast, Ronaldo approaches free kicks straight on, making contact with his body leant over the ball while striking directly through it.
There is arguably more control in the way Beckham struck the ball – although nobody can deny that Ronaldo’s trademark knuckleball is a real sight to beyond when it does fly beyond goalkeepers.
How many free kicks did Cristiano Ronaldo score in comparison to David Beckham?
Ronaldo – one of Manchester United’s top scorers ever – has already outscored Beckham in terms of free kicks.
David Beckham after scoring his free-kick against Greece. pic.twitter.com/HiRkVD12SB
— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) June 3, 2021
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has bagged 53 goals from free kicks over the years, and still has time to add to that tally with Al-Nassr and Portugal.
In regards to Beckham, the Englishman scored 44 free kicks, including that famous effort against Greece.
