Who are the top 20 best long shot takers in football 2023? (2024)

In football, there are numerous ways to score goals. All that matters is that the ball lands in the back of the net. Few images on the pitch are more satisfying to witness than a long-range shot that fizzes past a diving goalie and into the net. Here are some of the best long shot takers in football.

Long-range shooters are crucial to any team's success. They can make a difference in games where one team has trouble breaking down the other's defence. Below is a list of the best long shot takers in FIFA 23.

Top 20 best long shot takers in football

There are not many players who can pull off this highly required skill. Long-range goals are the most aesthetically pleasing goals to score in football. This list contains the top 20 long-shot takers in football.

20. Xabi Alonso

• Full name: Xabier Alonso Olano
• Date of birth: 25 November 1981
• Age: 41 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Tolosa, Spain
• Current team: Bayer Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso is a former football player and Bayer Leverkusen's head coach. He was an effective set-piece and penalty kick taker, and he excelled in the centre in a deep-lying playmaking role, using his accurate long-passing ability to create goal-scoring chances for teammates.

19. Toni Kroos

• Full name: Toni Kroos
• Date of birth: 4 January 1990
• Age: 33 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Greifswald, Germany
• Current team: Real Madrid

Toni Kroos currently plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time and primarily plays as a central midfielder. Toni has played several roles, such as a deep-lying playmaker, on the flank, in a box-to-box role, or even as a defensive midfielder.

18. Robin van Persie

• Full name: Robin van Persie
• Date of birth: 6 August 1983
• Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Robin van Persie is a Feyenoord coach and former football striker. He began his career as a left winger for Feyenoord during the 2001–02 season. Robin was initially used primarily as a supporting forward in League Cup, and FA Cup matches.

17. Steven Gerrard

• Full name: Steven George Gerrard
• Date of birth: 30 May 1980
• Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Whiston, England

Steven George is currently the football manager for Aston Villa. He spent most of his time playing as a central midfielder for Liverpool and the English national team. Steve was named eight times in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

16. Paul Pogba

• Full name: Paul Labile Pogba
• Date of birth: 15 March 1993
• Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Lagny-sur-Marne, France
• Current team: Juventus

Paul Pogba currently plays for the Juventus and the France national team. Pogba was deployed in a more advanced and creative midfield role rather than his usual box-to-box role, giving him more time on the ball and allowing him to excel as the team's main playmaker due to his vision and passing range.

15. Arjen Robben

• Full name: Arjen Robben
• Date of birth: 23 January 1984
• Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Bedum, Netherlands

Arjen Robben is a retired footballer who played as a winger. He was well-known for his dribbling abilities, quickness, ball control, and long-range shots. Robben is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, and he was frequently regarded as one of the best wingers in the world during his prime.

14. Yaya Touré

• Full name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
• Date of birth: 13 May 1983
• Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Bouaké, Ivory Coast

Yaya Touré is a former midfielder and an academy coach for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. During his career, he spent most of his time as a box-to-box midfielder for the club. He has key strengths in passing range, vision and physical ability.

13. Andrea Pirlo

• Full name: Andrea Pirlo
• Date of birth: 19 May 1979
• Age: 43 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Flero, Italy

Andrea Pirlo is a former football player and coach of the Süper Lig club. He began his career in 1995 as an attacking midfielder. Due to his vision and passing accuracy, Andrea was given the role of deep-lying playmaker.

12. Christian Eriksen

• Full name: Christian Dannemann Eriksen
• Date of birth: 14 February 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Middelfart, Denmark
• Current team: Manchester United

Christian Eriksen is a midfielder who plays for Manchester United and the Denmark national team. He is well-known for his vision, technique, passing, and free kicks. Christian has been named Danish Football Player of the year five times and fifth-highest all-time goalscorer.

11. Frank Lampard

• Full name: Frank James Lampard
• Date of birth: 20 June 1978
• Age: 44 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Romford, United Kingdom

Frank Lampard is a retired football player and is currently the manager of Everton. He is widely regarded as one of Chelsea's greatest players of all time, as well as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He holds the Premier League record for the most goals a midfielder scored and the most from outside the box.

10. Ruben Neves

• Full name: Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves
• Date of birth: 13 March 1997
• Age: 26 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Mozelos, Portugal
• Current team: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Neves may not be considered one of the best players in the world, but his long-range shooting ability must be recognized. One of Neves' most illustrious goals was a long-range miracle strike against Liverpool and Manchester United.

9. Bruno Fernandes

• Full name: Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
• Date of birth: 8 September 1994
• Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Maia, Portugal
• Current team: Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes is a young offensive midfielder whose key asset is his ability to score goals. By blasting shots now and then, he keeps the goalie occupied. During his stint at Sporting Lisbon, he was the club's most important player, scoring 63 goals in 137 appearances.

He's also a great free-kick taker. Bruno Fernandes has scored four goals from outside the 18-yard box in his Manchester United debut season. He is, without a doubt, one of the best long-shot takers in football.

8. Hakim Ziyech

• Full name: Hakim Ziyech
• Date of birth: 19 March 1993
• Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Dronten, Netherlands
• Current team: Chelsea

Ziyech is one of the top long-shot takers in football. He was crucial in Ajax's successful UEFA Champions League campaign in 2018-19. One of his best goals in the UCL group stage was a long-range curler against Valencia. Ziyech is undoubtedly becoming a better player due to his move to Chelsea.

7. Angel Di Maria

• Full name: Ángel Fabián Di María
• Date of birth: 14 February 1988
• Age: years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Current team: Juventus

Angel is a diligent worker with much potential and can take free kicks. The winger has excellent agility, creativity, and playmaking ability. His jaw-dropping strike against France in the 2018 World Cup was one of his most famous goals. Angel Di Maria is widely considered one of the most powerful shot-takers in football.

6. Paulo Dybala

• Full name: Paulo Exequiel Dybala
• Date of birth: 15 November 1993
• Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Laguna Larga, Córdoba, Argentina
• Current team: Roma

Following in the footsteps of his countryman Leo Messi, the Argentine plays like a true superstar. He usually plays in the midfield for his team, offering assists, dribbles, and long-range beauties. With his talented left foot, he has scored numerous goals. His one-touch finishes and solo goals are unique.

5. Radja Nainggolan

• Full name: Radja Nainggolan
• Date of birth: 4 May 1988
• Age: 34 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Antwerp, Belgium
• Current team: SPL

He is a physically powerful and flexible midfielder with exceptional shooting ability, regarded as one of the best long-shot takers in football. The 34-year-old veteran has spent his whole professional life in Italy.

Nainggolan has not scored many goals in his career, but it's a rocket of a strike every time he does. His volley against Juventus in Serie A in 2019 was an emotional goal and one of his greatest. Radja Nainggolan has earned the reputation of scoring only world-class bangers.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimović

• Full name: Zlatan Ibrahimović
• Date of birth: 3 October 1981
• Age: 41 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Malmö, Sweden
• Current team: AC Milan

The Swedish international has represented several notable European clubs. The veteran has scored numerous miracle goals throughout his career, but his well-known over-head kick from 30 yards against England is undoubtedly his greatest. Most of his career goals are long-shot goals.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

• Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
• Date of birth: 28 June 1991
• Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Drongen, Belgium
• Current team: Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne is currently one of the best midfielders in the world. He has been the driving force behind Pep Guardiola's Premier League victory. The Belgian midfielder is solely a baller with excellent shooting ability, which he employs in open play and when taking free kicks.

His playing style is praised not only by Manchester City fans but also by fans worldwide. In the 2018 World Cup, his goal against Brazil was a stunning strike that helped Belgium advance to the next round. De Bruyne is one of the best long-shot takers in the Premier League.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
• Date of birth: 5 February 1985
• Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Current team: Al Nassr

Who is the best shooter in football history? Cristiano can shoot with his strong right foot and his weaker left foot. He has a great shot power to go along with the other qualities that have earned him the title of 'the best.' His dedication to hard effort and positive attitude has aided him in becoming an expert shooter. He's scored many free-kick goals over his illustrious career.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal from outside the 18-yard box every 19.2 games in his senior career. He is the most prolific goal scorer in the game's history and one of the best long-shot takers of all time.

1. Lionel Messi

• Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Date of birth: 24 June 1987
• Age: 35 years (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Current team: Paris Saint-Germain

Who is the best long-range goal scorer? Despite having those appealing qualities of smooth passing and mazy dribbling, Messi can shoot accurately from long range, making him one of the best players.

Aside from his spectacular open-play goals, the former Barcelona captain can also score from free kicks with aplomb. His free kick strike against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 semi-final is one of his best long-range efforts. Messi has scored the most long-range goals in football history.

Top 10 most powerful shot takers in football history

Who is the best long shot in football? Below is a summary list of the top 10 most powerful shot takers in football in 2023.

1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Kevin De Bruyne
4. Zlatan Ibrahimović
5. Radja Nainggolan
6. Paulo Dybala
7. Angel Di Maria
8. Hakim Ziyech
9. Bruno Fernandes
10. Ruben Neves

Which player has the highest shot power?

Some of the players who are considered to have the highest shot power in soccer include Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been recorded hitting shots at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour (128 km/h), and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been recorded hitting shots at speeds of up to 76 miles per hour (122 km/h).

Who is the best long shot taker in FIFA 22?

Cristiano is regarded as the world's most versatile player and one of the best long-shot takers in FIFA 22.

Summary list of top best long shot takers in football

1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Kevin De Bruyne
4. Zlatan Ibrahimović
5. Radja Nainggolan
6. Paulo Dybala
7. Angel Di Maria
8. Hakim Ziyech
9. Bruno Fernandes
10. Ruben Neves
11. Frank Lampard
12. Christian Eriksen
13. Andrea Pirlo
14. Yaya Touré
15. Arjen Robben
16. Paul Pogba
17. Steven Gerrard
18. Robin van Persie
19. Toni Kroos
20. Xabi Alonso

We have seen a few athletes who could go all out from afar throughout history. The best long shot takers in football can beat goalkeepers with sheer strength and swerve. Even goalkeepers would be hesitant to get in the line of shots from such players.

READ ALSO: Top 20 best pitchers in the MLB of all time: rankings in 2023

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article listing the top 20 best pitchers in the MLB of all time. Baseball is a game of skill, strategy, and athleticism; and one of its most important positions is the pitcher.

A great pitcher can control the game, dominate the opposition, and lead their team to victory. Over the years, many exceptional pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) have left a lasting legacy in the sport.