3) Cristiano Ronaldo – 10
The Portuguese legend popularised the “knuckleball” technique for scoring from free kicks, hitting the ball straight on the laces to get the dip required so it goes over the wall and into the goal.
Ronaldo’s technique from dead-ball situations was up there with the very best during his first spell with United, although he become less prolific at freekicks as his career went on.
One of the biggest issues with the knuckleball is controlling the power. If you hit the ball too hard, it would go high and wide; too little and it wouldn’t get past the wall.
