Lionel Messi takes free-kicks like they're penalties.
Messi continued his sorcery from a dead ball situation by converting a ridiculous free-kick against Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.
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He curled in a beautiful free-kick with his glorious left-peg into the top corner.
The 31-year-old has now scored an impressive 25 direct free-kicks since the start of the 2011/12 season.
That's more than Real Madrid, Lyon, AS Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
The man is a cheat code when it comes to free-kicks.
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What's his secret? Well, a lot of practice.
"It is true that many times we have stayed after training to practice," Messi said when asked if he stays behind in training to hone his set-piece skills.
"Not only free-kicks, but also shots from outside the area. You get used to shooting in a specific way and increasingly discover your best form. In the end, everything is training and practice."
He then explains the difference from the ball being on a penalty spot to a free-kick.
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"It's different," the Argentina international added. "With a free-kick you have a barrier, the distance and it's another type of strike; you do not have the pressure to score because a free-kick can go in or not.
"With a penalty you have much more to lose than win. Here the goalkeeper feels more comfortable; if the player scores, it's normal as it's a penalty.
"The one who shoots is more obliged to score than the goalkeeper is to stop it. The pressure is very different."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Free-kick, Lionel Messi, Juventus, Real Madrid, La Liga
