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The One Goalscoring Record That Might Be A Stretch Too Far For Messi

The One Goalscoring Record That Might Be A Stretch Too Far For Messi

It would be pretty special if he does break it...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

It feels like Lionel Messi breaks a new record every time he steps on the pitch but there's one that might be a step too far for him.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has a sensational tally of 618 goals in a total of 752 appearances for club and country, proved he's one of the best in history when it comes to dead-ball situations by scoring his 40th free-kick at the weekend.

The Argentine ace opened the scoring against Leganes with a delightful curling free-kick, setting himself on his way to a 45th career hat-trick in the 3-1 win.

Image: PA
Image: PA

But while Messi is the definition of a free-kick specialist, he's got a mountain to climb if he's going to break the record for the most free-kick goals scored in football history.

In fact, he's got a long way to go just to get in the top ten. As per The Mirror, he's 19 off Corinthians' Marcelinho Carioca and set-piece bagging phenomenon Rogerio Ceni, and 22 off Zico and his the left-footed Argentinian genius that came before him, Diego Maradona.

David Beckham is on 65, one short of Messi's former teammate Ronaldinho. Pele is in second-placed on 70 - though it's unclear whether he's counting free-kicks he scored in the park and in his back-garden.

The absolute free-kick king is of course the legend that is Juninho, who scored all types of free-kicks from varying angles and boasts a staggering 77.

Messi may be a machine, but he might struggle to reach those numbers.

Here's the list in full:

1. Juninho Pernambucano (77)

2. Pelé (70)

3. Victor Legrotaglie (66)

3. Ronaldinho (66)

4. David Beckham (65)

5. Diego Maradona (62)

5. Zico (62)

6. Ronald Koeman (60)

7. Rogerio Ceni (59)

8. Marcelinho Carioca (59)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Ronaldinho, FC Barcelona, Football, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Juninho, Pele, Ronald Koeman, free-kicks, La Liga

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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