David Beckham

David Beckham's 65 career direct free-kick goals surpass #9 Roberto Carlos's 47, making him the most prolific English set-piece taker in history. His technique—right-footed curl with exact placement within 15 centimetres of the goal's corner from 25+ yards—is globally iconic, inspiring the 2002 film "Bend It Like Beckham." The most celebrated example came in 2001: his 93rd-minute free-kick against Greece, struck at 120 km/h with pinpoint accuracy, secured England's World Cup qualification and remains the most important English free-kick ever. Beckham's consistency across 20 years is unmatched among free-kick takers, with 75% of his attempts hitting the target.