20 Best Corner Takers in Football History Ranked by AI

For all the importance of patterns of play, gegenpress and tiki-taka, something that can often be lost in modern football is the importance of set pieces—specifically, the role that being good at corners can have on a team’s ability to win a game.

The success Arsenal have had in recent times has proven that a solid set-piece routine and strategy can still play a fundamental part in finding the back of the net. It may not always be pretty, but it can certainly be effective. At the heart of that is always a player with the best ability to deliver from dead-ball scenarios.

Some players even have a legacy in the sport largely down to their ability to create dangerous situations from corners. However, according to AI, these 20 stand out above the rest as the greatest corner takers that football has ever seen.

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Some of the most recognisable set-piece takers just miss out on a place in the top 10, starting with former Yugoslavian star Dragan Stojkovic. Current Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu also features thanks to his exploits, as do a trio of German born stars in Toni Kroos, Joshua Kimmich and Italian international Vincenzo Grifo.

Roberto Carlos was more known for some of his iconic free-kicks, but he too could be a danger when it came to delivering a corner. The same can be said for Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Ballon d’Or winner Luis Suarez (the original one) had to have more about his game to win the Golden Ball than just corners, but it was certainly an added benefit. As was the case with Ronaldinho, who could be just as entertaining when the ball wasn’t moving as when it was.

10

Zico

Flamengo, Udinese, Brazil

What AI said: Known for his creativity and technique, Zico’s corners often resulted in goals, showcasing his exceptional set-piece abilities.

While Ronaldinho didn’t quite make the top 10, another Brazilian star does kick off the top half of the list, with the honour going to Zico. Though he missed out on World Cup success during the golden era of Samba football, Zico still did more than his part for his country and his legacy is cemented. It just so happens that he was an excellent set-piece taker too.

9

Juan Ramon Riquelme

Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Villarreal, Argentina

What AI said: Riquelme’s exceptional technique and vision made his corners a significant asset for both Boca Juniors and the Argentine national team.

Exceptional technique is right. Juan Ramon Riquelme was as naturally gifted as they came in the early to mid-2000s. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that had his stint at Barcelona gone just a little bit better, he could be spoken about in the same breath as the Ronaldinhos of this world. A true maverick, the Argentine could do just about anything his heart desired with a ball at his feet, which is exactly why he was a natural to deliver corners.

8

Juan Mata

Valencia, Chelsea, Manchester United, Spain

What AI said: Mata’s precise and well-placed corners have consistently created goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

If you want to look at criminally underrated talents, look no further than Juan Mata. At his peak, he was one of the greatest Chelsea had ever seen in the Premier League era. A diminutive Spanish magician, with a wand of a left or right foot. He was the prototype of a player you would expect to struggle with the pace and physicality of the English top flight, yet he always found a way to flourish.

As for his corners? Look no further than Chelsea’s maiden Champions League triumph. It was his corner that found Didier Drogba at the front post, who headed past Manuel Neuer. The rest was history.

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7

Gareth Bale

Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Wales

What AI said: Bale’s powerful and accurate corner deliveries have been a significant part of his play, contributing to many goals for his teams.

Given that Gareth Bale would eventually develop into a player who could be quite dangerous in the air, you are more likely to picture him challenging for the ball with defenders rather than delivering the crosses. Regardless, the Welsh wizard clearly did enough when stepping up to the task to impress the AI enough to earn himself a coveted spot on this list.

6

Kevin De Bruyne

Chelsea, Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Belgium

What AI said: De Bruyne’s exceptional vision and delivery make his corners a constant threat, leading to numerous assists for Manchester City.

Who’d have thought that one of the greatest passers of a football would turn out to be one of the greatest corner takers too? It shouldn’t really be a surprise, as the two things do naturally go hand in hand. But very few have the vision and the level of consistency to make such an impact like Kevin De Bruyne can.

Even in years where injuries have slowed him down and he may not be at his physical best, his technique remains second to none and allows him to still step up to the plate for set-pieces and put in a cross on a dime that his teammates can power home.

5

Christian Eriksen

Tottenham, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Denmark

What AI said: Eriksen’s ability to deliver dangerous corners has been a key feature of his play, providing numerous assists throughout his career.

Christian Eriksen was rarely the go-to corner kick taker at Manchester United during his recent three-year stretch at Old Trafford. That responsibility usually fell to club captain Bruno Fernandes. That means many may have forgotten that Eriksen was just as, if not slightly better, at delivering crosses from that area of the pitch.

Whether it be for Tottenham, Denmark, Inter Milan or Brentford, you could often rely on Eriksen’s delivery being second to none.

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4

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool, Real Madrid, England

What AI said: Alexander-Arnold’s precise and varied corner deliveries have been instrumental in Liverpool’s attacking play, resulting in numerous assists.

If he wasn’t a set-piece specialist, there is an argument that Trent Alexander-Arnold would be on this list purely for the corner that set up Divock Origi to complete the historic comeback against Barcelona in the 2018/19 Champions League.

As it would happen, the Englishman is not a one-trick pony when it comes to corners, and whether it is an inswinger or an outswinger, you would safely assume he is going to find his intended target and spell trouble for the opposition defence.

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3

James Ward-Prowse

Southampton, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, England

What the AI said: Known for his exceptional set-piece deliveries, Ward-Prowse has consistently provided quality corners leading to goals for his teammates.

He may be one of the greatest free-kick takers in Premier League history, but given that there are so many transferable skills between that and taking corners, it is no surprise to see James Ward-Prowse near the top of this ranking. The Englishman’s technique with his instep, which mirrors a certain somebody else on this list, is incredibly difficult to replicate and stop.

Ward-Prowse never had the opportunity to play for one of the real upper echelon teams in the country, but all that meant was that his value on set-plays was even greater, as it may sometimes have been the only way he could break down oppositions.

2

Andrea Pirlo

AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Italy

What AI said: Pirlo’s ability to deliver accurate and well-timed corners was a significant asset for both AC Milan and the Italian national team, contributing to numerous assists.

A maestro. A magician. The superlatives used to describe Andrea Pirlo are never-ending and could take up this entire list. The Italian World Cup winner had an ability to pick a pass that very few possessed, and it’s clear it didn’t matter where on the pitch he was either.

Whether it be twenty yards inside his own half or swinging in a corner from the byline, the end product was so often the same. However, Pirlo is beaten out by one of his former teammates.

1

David Beckham

Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, England

What AI said: Renowned for his precise and curling deliveries, Beckham’s corners often led to goals for his teammates. His consistency and technique made him a standout in the Premier League and internationally.

Piers Morgan once argued that David Beckham would’ve been nothing without his free kicks and corners. Whilst this isn’t true, as the former Manchester United wideman was an incredible player in his own right, the sentiment speaks volumes about just how much of a weapon his dead ball specialty was.

Beckham’s technique was unique, and the whip he could generate on the ball was often beyond belief. In truth, there was no one else that was ever likely to come close to top spot.

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All statistics courtesy of StatMuse – accurate as of 07/06/2025.