World Football Free Kicks: 12 of the Fastest All Time

The free kick by definition could make you think that it is a chance on goal that is all about finesse.

David Beckham and his fame for his skill at bending the ball definitely has helped to support that belief during his career.

However, there is another class of free kick that is all together just as or more exciting: the power driver free kick.

While it is not seen nearly as often as a curling effort into the corner, there are some players that can absolutely lash a free kick that can hardly be seen until it is in the back of the net.

This slideshow is dedicated to some of those very efforts and players. While it may not have all of the best in the world, it certainly is twelve of the fastest free kicks of all time that have been caught on tape.

Unknown

This is a brilliantly blasted free kick, but there is no real information listed for the player and the quality makes it a little hard to decipher the kick.

None the less it is a masterful effort.

Alex

From 2006-2010 Liverpool and Chelsea had some heated Champions League affairs.

Above is a screaming free kick taken by Alex for Chelsea.

Rydell Poepon

The Dutch Eredivisie was privy to this amazing strike that is another of the the fastest free kicks captured in the game.

Adriano

Inter Milan's Adriano powers one home in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

Recoba

One of Inter Milan's free kick masters Recoba blasts this one off the bar against Bologna.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

While still in his Barcelona days, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted this one in against Real Zaragoza.

Elano

Manchester City's Elano takes a pile-driven effort against Newcastle United in the EPL.

John Arne Riise

During his days at Liverpool, now Fulham left back John Arne Riise, had one of the deadliest free kicks in the EPL.

Above is from November of 2001 when the Reds faced off against Manchester United.

Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos' goal against France in 1997 is still one of the fastest long range free kicks in history.

Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink

Another EPL free kick is this screamer from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Hugo Almeida

When still with FC Porto Hugo, Almeida blasted this one in from over 30 yards.

Juninho Pernambucano

Olympique Lyon's master free kick artist Juninho takes a driven long range free kick that dips at the last moment to beat Oliver Kahn.

One of the best and fastest you will ever see.