Juninho: Still The World's Best Free-Kick Taker

When it comes to firing free kicks, I don't think there's anyone in the business that can top Juninho. It was 15 years ago when this midfielder began his career with Sport Recife. There, he won the Campeonato Pernambucano and the Copa do Nordeste championships.

Despite admitting he loved Sporting Recife from childhood, Juninho left in 1994. CR Vasco da Gama was the Brazilian's new home in 1995. The club won several trophies with him including the Brazilian Championship, Copa Libertadores, Copa Mercosur and he won the 2000 Brazilian Silver Ball award.

Juninho moved to Lyon in 2001 and well, the rest is history. The squad had never won the French Ligue 1 Championship, but they won it that first year Juninho joined them. It's been seven straight titles for Olympique Lyonnais since the arrival of the Brazilian.

This is where he established himself as the greatest free kick taker the world has ever seen. His powerful, accurate and varied set pieces drive goalies nuts. He is also a tremendous passer, providing many assists for his teammates.

Unsurprisingly, Lyon manager, Gerard Houllier made him team captain. Juninho has scored on 39 occasions in set pieces for the French Champions over his career. His method for hitting long range kicks is usually knuckle balling, where the ball almost has no spin when going towards goal.

It moves in the air, making it difficult for goalies to stay with it. Juninho has scored three free-kicks from beyond 40 yards. The first was a 41 meter strike against AC Ajaccio in 2006, followed by 45 meter scorcher against Barcelona in 2007, and a 48 meter bomb against Nice in 2008.

His free-kicks have gone off the post or crossbar countlessly before going in. As we all know, these kicks are just pure perfection. This talented Brazilian makes it look so easy though, even at the age of 33.

Sure, guys like Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo can fire in their share of free-kicks. Have you ever seen someone do it so consistently like Juninho though? The craziest part is that it looks so simple when he does it.

Two days ago, Lyon faced Nice and were down 2-0. Juninho got the hosts back within one with a trademark curling free-kick, hitting the post before going in. In the 74th minute, he struck another one, this time from nearly half field. Karim Benzema then sealed the comeback with a penalty kick goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

A great fight put up by Lyon, and Juninho once again shows his class by scoring twice to rally his squad.

"We were led 2-0 but we didn't panic. We continued to play and we created a good number of chances before finally winning 3-2. It was a test of character." Juninho said.

"We were led by two goals at home but we did not give up mentally against a well-organised team who knew how to counter attack really well. However, even though they were ahead we felt Nice were nervous. Perhaps they doubted the result would stay like that and we took advantage of that."

After Brazil's elimination from the 2006 World Cup, Juninho retired internationally to allow younger players to come in through the ranks. Just another reason this guy is a great character.

Karim Benzema may fire in the most goals, but Juninho is undoubtedly the heart and soul of Olympique Lyonnais.