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David Byrom

Leeds United fans back up Ian Harte after former star omitted from all-time free-kick ranking

Ian Harte has jokingly hit out after being excluded from a list of the greatest free-kick takers of all time.

Fans at the Top Tens have voted on who they believe to be the best free-kick taker of all time, with Brazilian midfielder Juninho Pernambucano scooping top spot.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham were also named on the list, but there was one notable exclusion.

Former Whites hero Ian Harte was nowhere to be seen in the top 100 free-kick takers of all time, despite his fine pedigree from set-pieces.

"Can't believe I'm not on the list," Harte tweeted after seeing a tweet from Sport Bible.

It prompted shock from Whites fans at his absence.

"Proper left peg," commented former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom.

Another said: "Absolutely disgraceful, Ian."

In 2017, Opta revealed that Harte was in a select group of Premier League players.

The former left-back, who made 213 league appearances for Leeds between 1996 and 2004 before moving to Levante, is one of just three players with 10 or more penalty and free-kick goals in the Premier League.

Harte is in good company on that list, being joined by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry.

The Irishman netted 11 direct free-kicks during his time at the Whites, adding another 12 from the penalty spot.

Beckham came second to Juninho on the fan-voted list, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Roberto Carlos rounding out the top five.

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