In EA FC 26, three key stats define a great free kick: FK Accuracy (beating the wall), Shot Power (the venom on the strike), and Curve (the swerve that leaves keepers rooted to the spot).
Using the latest Squad Update, we’ve ranked the top 10 maestros based on their Free Kick Accuracy, Shot Power, and Curve. All players below have real faces in-game and bring a different flavor to set pieces.
EA FC 26 Best Free Takers
10. James Maddison
As a premier central midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, the 84-rated James Maddison provides textbook technique by coupling an elite 87 Free Kick Accuracy with a solid 83 Shot Power.
His tidy 86 Curve makes him the ideal choice for delivering early-inswingers or picking out the top corner with a signature dip over the defensive wall.
9. Paulo Dybala
Operating as a creative attacking midfielder for Roma, the 85-rated Paulo Dybala executes free kicks with an effortless style that mixes precise placement with significant bend.
You can expect sumptuous, whipped attempts thanks to his 87 Free Kick Accuracy, 84 Shot Power, and incredible 89 Curve which constantly force goalkeepers into acrobatic saves.
8. Julián Alvarez
Far more than just a poacher, Julián Álvarez proves his elite set-piece profile while playing as an attacking midfielder for Atlético Madrid.
This dangerous combination of 88 Free Kick Accuracy, 88 Shot Power, and 87 Curve ensures he is lethal from direct range and exceptionally difficult for keepers to read during his run-up.
7. Vincenzo Grifo
Representing SC Freiburg as a clinical left midfielder, Vincenzo Grifo is a true specialist who thrives on bending the ball around defensive walls with ease.
His statistical profile of 88 Free Kick Accuracy, 85 Shot Power, and 89 Curve allows him to produce dipping, placed efforts that consistently evade the goalkeeper’s reach.
6. Ángel Di María
Currently pulling the strings as an attacking midfielder for Rosario Central, Ángel Di María treats every set-piece like a work of pure artistry.
His 88 Free Kick Accuracy and astonishing 93 Curve compensate for a modest 82 Shot Power, allowing him to squeeze the ball through tiny pockets of space that other players simply cannot find.
5. Xherdan Shaqiri
Now a veteran dead-ball option for FC Basel 1893, attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri maintains a compact technique that remains incredibly effective from distance.
With an 88 Free Kick Accuracy paired with 87 Shot Power and 87 Curve, he excels at hitting low, whipping shots that skim the wall and beat the keeper at the near post.
4. Dušan Vlahović
While it is unusual for a traditional Juventus striker to possess such finesse, Dušan Vlahović masterfully combines physical presence with high-level dead-ball quality.
He utilizes his 89 Free Kick Accuracy and 84 Shot Power to strike driven, powerful efforts that dip late, making him the perfect choice to bully the ball past the wall even with a lower 79 Curve.
3. James Ward-Prowse
As the modern benchmark for free kicks, West Ham United central midfielder James Ward-Prowse offers a clinical technique that managers can rely on every single match.
His world-class 90 Free Kick Accuracy is backed by a dependable 81 Shot Power and 89 Curve, cementing his reputation as the specialist you trust for ultimate consistency.
2. Grimaldo
Serving as the left-sided dead-ball maestro for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the talented left midfielder Grimaldo is lethal from almost any distance on the pitch.
Boasting a massive 92 Free Kick Accuracy alongside 84 Shot Power and 89 Curve, his precise, bending efforts are designed to leave goalkeepers wrong-footed and defensive walls completely helpless.
1. Lionel Messi
Topping the rankings as an attacking midfielder for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi possesses a free-kick kit that provides the perfect balance of precision and elegance.
His legendary 93 Free Kick Accuracy, 84 Shot Power, and 90 Curve result in jewelry-like strikes that curl effortlessly into the top corner, ensuring that when he is on the ball, you simply pick your spot and trust the magic.
Hints & Tips
- Pick the taker who best matches the shot type: high Curve for curling, high Shot Power for long drives, and highest FK Accuracy for tight placement.
- Aim point and run-up matter — use the practice arena to test keeper tendencies and wall behaviour from your favourite positions.
- When in doubt, choose consistency: a Ward-Prowse or Grimaldo-style taker is more likely to score reliably than a high-variance option.
Final Whistle
Building your Ultimate Team or setting up your Career Mode tactics? Having one of these specialists on the pitch is a game-changer.
They turn dangerous free kicks into clear scoring opportunities and can single-handedly win you matches. We hope you will share your favorite player with us, even if he is not on our list.
So next time you win a foul in a promising position, make sure the ball is at the feet of one of these masters. Practice their unique styles, learn their curves, and start racking up highlight-reel goals.
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