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18th Nov 2015

Statistical proof that Steven Gerrard is a better free kick taker than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

As is Wayne Rooney

Ben Kiely

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are no competition for Europe’s leading free kick takers.

Who Scored have created a graphic showing the players with the best free kick conversion rates since the 2013-14 season and the two best players in the world are way down the pecking order.

Ronaldo has scored just five of his 73 free kicks since the 2013-14 season leaving him with a lacklustre conversion rate of 6.8%. Messi is even worse having scored just four out of 70 (5.7%).

The cream of the crop is Bosnian free-kick specialist Miralem Pjanic, who leads the way having scored seven of his 38 free kicks during that period (18.4%).

What’s pretty interesting is how high Steven Gerrard figures on the list. During his time at Liverpool in the last two seasons, Gerrard has scored three of his 20 frees, leaving him in fourth position with 15%.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney converted three of his 25 free kick leaving him with a respectable conversion rate of 12%.