Taking freekicks requires awkward (usually damaging) body movements. With the athletic build of most players these days, that is impossible. I used to watch freekicks that curled and decieved goal keepers but the ones I see now are just powerful. In fact C. Ronaldo's freekick style is nearly impossible if explained by physics because striking the ball the way he does requires some luck that the ball catches forward turning at a massive speed to dip the way it does, otherwise, it requires a change in pressure and I am not sure as to how this could be explained (is it the air, the velocity or the shape of the ball when it returns to normal size after it being struck that hard?). Not a talent in my opinion, but I will take it. In fact this season, his freekicks have been garbage.
Messi is shit. Xavi is only a little better.
Guti, De la Pena, Beckham all used their upper body plus a mild touch to get a proper curve, while the likes of Sniejder forces the ball to spin with brute force. Super Mario uses strength + centered aim and his shot depends on any change in the air to change the ball's direction.
My favorite was probably Sinisa Mihajlovic since he was able to get retarded power + aim + curvature on the ball.
Other names who struck the ball well were:
Michael Ballsack, Totti, Van Persie (I'd like him, only if he wasn't an asshole), Zidane, and Ronaldinho. Speaking of the last one, he would have cemented his name as one of the greatest freekick takers in history had he scored against france, he only came so close in the dying minutes. Although, wonderful shot on him, impeccable delivery that allowed Barcelona to stay in the run for the league title.
My personal nemesis is Del Pierro. He scored against Real Madrid and score them for fun against Inter.
Notable mention to Almiedo who struck a ball at an insane speed from an insane distance and scored against Inter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5ihIMKh0E0 here it is...pure insanity.
