Messi’s Free Kick Mastery: Season Highlights and Career Records

Messi, the Argentine football icon, has once again proven his exceptional kicking skills. As of the 2018 season, he had scored 41 free kick goals in his career, making him a formidable threat in any corner of the pitch. Notably, his 40 free kick career goals include 6 goals for his national team, Argentina, and 34 goals for his renowned club, FC Barcelona. Messi holds the record for the most free kick goals in Spanish La Liga, with a total of 25 goals, with Cristiano Ronaldo just behind him with 20.

Interestingly, whereas Messi has a total career tally of 40 free kick goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has just 21 less, indicating the duo's integral contributions to their clubs and national teams in the past.

Season Highlights and Recent Performances

During the 2018 season, Messi's free kick prowess was on full display, scoring six crucial free kicks across various matches. Some of his notable matches include:

VS Olympiakos (Champions League): A well-taken free kick that found the back of the net. VS Real Sociedad (La Liga): Messi demonstrated his finesse once again with a precise free kick that found the goal. VS Deportivo Alaves (La Liga): Another telling free kick shot that secured a vital goal. VS Girona (La Liga): Consistent with his reputation, Messi's free kick help his team clinch a crucial victory. VS Las Palmas (La Liga): A well-placed free kick that showcased his ability to score from set pieces. VS Atlético Madrid (La Liga): The final of the six matches saw Messi score another free kick that ensured a crucial win.

Despite these individual matches, Messi’s contribution in La Liga during his illustrious career stands as a testament to his skill.

La Liga Free Kick Record

Messi's record of 21 direct free kick goals in La Liga since 2006-07 surpasses even his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 20. This impressive tally averages out to about 1.9 goals per year in the Spanish top-flight league, demonstrating his consistency and reliability from the tee.

Opta, the data partner of La Liga, has tracked these free kicks from the 2003/04 season. This long and detailed record adds depth to Messi’s legacy, showing that his free kick skills have been a cornerstone of his play for nearly two decades.

Conclusion

Leo Messi's free kick abilities highlight his multifaceted talent on the football field. His record of 40 free kicks in his career, with 21 of those in La Liga, stands as a testament to his consistency and skill. In a sport where set pieces can often be the deciding factors in matches, Messi’s capacity to bend the laws of physics and net the ball from beyond the box is a noteworthy achievement. His six free kicks in the 2018 season reinforced his status as one of the greatest free kick takers in football history.