With 25 direct free-kicks scored since the start of the 2011/12 campaign, Lionel Messi has scored more goals from set-pieces than a number of high-profile teams in Europe's top five leagues, barring Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus.
Tired of reading? Click through the mini-gallery above to see five high-profile teams Messi has outscored in free-kicks since the 2011/12 campaign according to Spanish statistician Alexis Martin-Tamayo
The Argentine superstar, who is currently the leading goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues with 29 goals in 26 LaLiga appearances, netted the 51st hat-trick of his career in FC Barcelona's 4-1 thumping of Real Betis on the weekend.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner opened his account against Betis with a smartly taken set-piece, extending his tally of free-kicks scored to 25 since the 2011/12 campaign.
According to Spanish statistician Alexis Martin-Tamayo, Messi has now outscored the likes of AS Roma, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid from free-kicks since the 2011/12 campaign.
Más goles de falta directa en las 5 grandes ligas europeas desde el comienzo de la temporada 2011-12 hasta hoy:
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) March 17, 2019
29 Juventus
25 LIONEL MESSI F.C. ??
24 Real Madrid
22 Lyon
21 Roma y Paris Saint-Germain
19 Liverpool pic.twitter.com/aVaPspo9dc
When speaking about his deadly technique from free-kicks, the 31-year-old revealed that the secret to his success is practice.
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"It is true that many times we have stayed after training to practice," Messi told Marca.
"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."
La Albiceleste's record goalscorer also gave his opinion on the differences between taking penalties and free-kicks.
"It's different. 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," he added.
"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."
Read: The Messi Effect Keeps Ronaldo Motivated
Messi has registered 37 appearances across all competitions for Barca this season, finding the back of the net on 39 occasions and being on hand to register a further 21 assists.
Do you consider Messi to be the greatest free-kick taker in world football? If not, who is? Have your say in the comments section below.
