Juninho Pernambucano
Awards & Honours
32
Awards Won
3
Honours
3
Rankings
3
Records
Juninho Pernambucano holds the world record for the most career free-kick goals, with 77. He is widely regarded as the greatest free-kick taker in football history, a status confirmed by numerous polls and expert rankings. His seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles with Lyon stand as a French league record. He is the only player to have won the Brazilian Silver Ball, Ligue 1 Player of the Year, and a World Cup in the same era. His knuckleball technique has been emulated by players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. In 2020, FourFourTwo named him the best free-kick taker of all time.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Greatest Free-Kick Taker of All Time
Named the best free-kick taker in football history by FourFourTwo magazine.
Lyon Club Legend
Recognized as one of the greatest players in Lyon's history, with a statue or tribute planned.
World Record for Most Free-Kick Goals
Holds the Guinness World Record for the most free-kick goals in professional football (77).
Rankings & Lists
Best Free-Kick Taker of All Time
Best Free-Kick Taker of All Time
Best Free-Kick Taker of All Time
Records & Feats
Most Career Free-Kick Goals
Scored 77 free-kick goals in professional football, a world record.
Seven Consecutive Ligue 1 Titles
Won Ligue 1 seven times in a row with Lyon from 2002 to 2008, a French league record.
First Player to Pioneer Knuckleball Free Kick
Credited with developing and popularizing the knuckleball free-kick technique in modern football.