Hakan Çalhanoğlu`s incredible free-kick for Hamburg against Borussia Dortmund back in 2014 remains an unforgettable moment. But who else has managed to find the back of the net with set pieces from seemingly impossible distances in the Bundesliga? We present the top 10:
1) Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 41.00 metres
It`s hard to imagine a free-kick ever being scored from a greater distance than the one struck by the midfielder, now playing for Inter Milan, against Dortmund in 2014. With Hamburg already leading 2-0 in the final minute, the HSV number 9 attempted a spectacular effort that left everyone in the Volksparkstadion, including Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller and manager Jürgen Klopp, in complete disbelief.
2) Maximilian Arnold – 39.14m
Wolfsburg`s record appearance holder has frequently showcased his expertise from set-pieces over the years. He wrong-footed Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner with an audacious knuckleball during a 3-0 win in November 2022, demonstrating his exceptional technique.
Maximilian Arnold has an impressive record of 10 career Bundesliga free-kick goals for Wolfsburg.
3) Filip Kostić – 37.93m
Although perhaps better known for providing assists during his time at Frankfurt, Kostić also scored some remarkable goals. His free-kick against Freiburg in 2021, curled in as a disguised cross, bypassed everyone in the penalty area, deceiving Freiburg`s then-keeper Mark Flekken as it went in off the post and secured all three points for Eintracht.
4) Dominik Szoboszlai – 35.57m
Leipzig`s talented Hungarian playmaker, who has since moved on, was no stranger to spectacular goals during his spell at the Red Bull Arena. Few were as impressive as this strike against VfB Stuttgart on his full debut in 2021. Szoboszlai`s perfectly hit free-kick from near the left touchline sailed straight through the box, completely bamboozling goalkeeper Kevin Müller before nestling into the far corner.
5) Vladimír Darida – 35.18m
The 2021/22 Bundesliga season might be one Hertha fans prefer to forget, as they only avoided relegation via a successful play-off. However, it did feature this memorable moment from Darida. Trailing 2-0 at home to Cologne, the Czech midfielder sent what appeared to be a cross from a free-kick into the box. Like several others on this list, it wasn`t touched by anyone and somehow eluded the goalkeeper, ending up in the back of the net.
6) Joshua Kimmich – 33.74m
There`s very little the Bayern midfielder isn`t capable of with the ball at his feet, a fact he powerfully demonstrated on the opening day of the 2022/23 campaign in a dominant 6-1 victory over Frankfurt. Kimmich`s low drive opened the scoring for the Bavarians, with the German international brilliantly exploiting a gap at the near post left by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who had positioned himself more centrally in anticipation of a cross.
7) Dominik Szoboszlai – 31.75m
This is the second free-kick on this list from the player who now stars for Liverpool, and also his second against Stuttgart. There`s little doubt Szoboszlai was aiming for goal with this one. From a central position, the bounce was enough to trouble goalkeeper Müller, who got a hand to it but couldn`t push it away to safety.
Dominik Szoboszlai`s only two Bundesliga free-kick goals came from considerable distances against Stuttgart.
8) Vincenzo Grifo – 30.47m
Only Arnold boasts more Bundesliga free-kick goals than Grifo, and this effort is the first of two from the Italian to feature in the top 10. It came against high-quality opposition, Borussia Dortmund, in August 2021. The forward curled the ball home with the help of the post to give Freiburg an early lead after just six minutes.
9) Vincenzo Grifo – 30.03m
Grifo clearly enjoys starting the season strong, as shown in 2022/23 against Augsburg. After Freiburg had just taken a 1-0 lead after halftime on the opening day, their number 10 stood over a free-kick from the right. What seemed intended as a cross flew past everyone and into the far top corner. Another magnificent effort from a player who scored four free-kick goals that season across all competitions.
Vincenzo Grifo`s set-piece execution is among the very best.
10) Maximilian Arnold – 29.52m
Arnold`s second inclusion on this list was against Greuther Fürth in the 2021/22 season. With the game delicately poised in the 70th minute, the midfielder stepped up to a free-kick and did what he does best. He received a slight assist from a deflection off Jamie Leweling, which wrong-footed Sascha Burchert, but it proved to be the decisive goal in Wolfsburg`s 4-1 victory.
