Summary
Taking free kicks inEA Sports FC 24can be tricky, but certain players make life simple via the Dead Ball PlayStyle and PlayStyle Plus. These two PlayStyles separate your average free kick takers from your all-time greats, weighing much more heavily than attribute numbers alone.
While Free Kick Accuracy, Curve, and Shot Power are all key factors in comparing free kick scoring ability, the Dead Ball PlayStyle is the minimum bar of entry for this list. Dead Ball is a great PlayStyle on its own, but the Dead Ball Plus upgrade is extremely noticeable and makes a difference in decisive moments.
10Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is acclaimed for his Passing ability, but his exceptional control over the ball extends to his free kick skills as well. De Bruyne is even listed as the example player for the Dead Ball PlayStyle, further cementing just how special his free kicks are.
De Bruyne’s 83 Free Kick Accuracy is the lowest of these players, but he makes up for it with 92 Curve and Shot Power to ensure your shots reach the goal from a distance. De Bruyne excels at long free kicks in particular as his versatility makes him extremely reliable. With either a long shot or cross, De Bruyne opens up plenty of options for your team.
9Icon Ronaldinho
If you’re planning on buying Ronaldinho for any reason then you’ll need togrind out a lot of EASFC 24 Ultimate Team coinsto afford his card. Ronaldinho offers a solid trio of 91 Accuracy, 89 Curve, and 86 Shot Power to keep his free kicks consistent from short and medium ranges.
Ronaldinho’s Shot Power isn’t exactly low, but you’ll have to aim toward the very end of the power bar (without filling it) to get a hard shot off. Power is extremely important when shooting from 5 meters or more outside the box, but if you’re able to land around 85–90 percent power on your kick, then Ronaldinho will be more than good enough to score.
8Lionel Messi
One of Lionel Messi’s most recognizable skills is his exceptional free kick ability, which quickly made hima standout player in the MLS. However, Messi does not have the Dead Ball Plus PlayStyle Plus, which keeps him out of the upper echelon of free kick specialists in EA Sports FC 24.
Luckily, Messi’s 93 Accuracy and Curve go well together, and his 83 Shot Power is still more than enough to tuck the ball into corners from medium range at most. While his efficiency falls off at distance, the control Messi offers over kicks if you’re adept at curling the ball into the corner cannot be denied.
7Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai isa fantastic budget optionif you’re looking for a free kick specialist on the cheap. While his 82 overall certainly won’t wow you, his 87 Free Kick Accuracy, 90 Curve, and 89 Shot Power definitely should make an impression.
With access to theDead Ball PlayStyle Plus, Szoboszlai will deliver all of his set pieces with increased speed, Curve, and Accuracy. Make use of the enhanced abilities that this PlayStyle Plus grants, and don’t be afraid to try an audacious shot if it seems possible.
With Dead Ball+ yourball trajectory preview line will also be longer, allowing you to see exactly how the ball will move in the air once you take your kick.
6POTM James Maddison
POTM James Maddison is an exceptional addition to your team as both a midfielder and a free kick taker, as his wonderful Passing attributes reflect well in-game. Whenever Maddison steps over the ball, you’re able to rest assured knowing he can pass or score at will.
Much like De Bruyne, Maddison’s versatility is a massive boost when you need to catch your opponent off guard. 88 Curve and Accuracy are a wonderful addition to theDead Ball PlayStyle Plus, just don’t try to get too audacious with the 85 Shot Power unless you’re certain you won’t max out the bar.
5Icon Kelly Smith
Kelly Smith is a legend of women’s football and arguably the best free kick specialist ever on the women’s side of the sport. She’s one of the few players who offers a left-footed option – like Messi – to change things up from the more common right-footed players.
Her PlayStyle serves to make her 91 Accuracy, 90 Curve, and 87 Shot Power even better than they already are. Once you get into the 90s for Curve, you’ll notice that rotating your right thumb stick has a more dramatic impact on the trajectory of the ball, so take advantage of that movement.
4Icon Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo is a legend of Italian football and one of the most silky-smooth midfielders to ever play the game. His effortless control shined during his free kicks, which Pirlo executed with immense precision. Much like De Bruyne and Maddison, Pirlo can score or pass, so don’t be limited by a one-track mind.
94 Accuracy and 92 Curve are simply sublime, though 79 Shot Power does mean that Pirlo won’t be scoring any bangers from a distance. When you’re around the box, feel free to let a shot loose, but you should make use of Pirlo’s unrivaled ability to cross the ball into the box from a set piece.
3Icon David Beckham
The man whose free kick sparked international fame and necessitated the phrase “Bend it like Beckham” is deserving of a shout when it comes to the best free kick specialist in EASFC 24. Beckham’s rise to superstar status may never have been if not for his unrivaled accuracy.
Beckham’s Icon card pays homage to his real-life abilities with 94 Accuracy and 95 Curve to go along with his 86 Shot Power. Beckham improves on Ronaldinho’s attributes while matching his power, though Beckham’sDead Ball PlayStyle Plusputs him far ahead of the Brazilian legend.
2Icon Ronald Koeman
When you think of a free kick specialist, midfielders like Beckham and Pirlo are your typical options, but rarely does a Centre Back step up and command free kicks like Ronald Koeman. The legendary Netherlands defender sets the gold standard of balanced free kick abilities.
Koeman boasts an incredible trio of 95 Accuracy, 92 Curve, and 96 Shot Power, meaning you’ll never meet a free kick that Koeman can’t conquer. You’ll be able to shoot from up to ten meters outside the box and not look foolish for trying. Koeman will score free kicks with regularity if you nail the power and curve.
1Icon Zico
Zico is the best free kick specialist in EASFC 24 and probably the greatest to ever stand over a dead-ball situation. Zico’s icon status, 89 overall, and Brazilian nationality were already enough to warrant wanting him, but his free kick finesse will keep you coming back for more.
Zico’s 97 Accuracy, 94 Curve, and 92 Shot Power puts him at the top of the EASFC 24 free kick taker tier list, as he can score and cross the ball into the box from any distance. Regardless of whether you choose to take a direct shot or aim to set up a teammate, Zico will get the job done better than anyone else.
