'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Free Kick Goals
Simply outstanding. That was how Lionel Messi's performance against Espanyol at the start of December last year can be described. The Argentine scored two brilliant free kicks that stunned the world, as Barcelona won 4-0. Messi's curlers were the talk of the town though, how the ball had majestically rolled into the top right corner, just beyond the reach of the hapless keeper. It was simply outstanding, but it was not the first time he had done this.
Along with the two against Espanyol, Messi has scored two more in the season so far, against Alaves in August in La Liga and against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in September. The Argentinean has more free kick goals - 4 - than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe this season. It is also worth noting that he finished with 10 goals from free kicks in 2018, once again the most in the top five leagues in Europe.
Since 2014, Lionel Messi has 19 direct free kick goals, more than most top European teams. For the record, Juventus comes closest, with 18 goals. The Argentine is the undisputed king of free kicks, and by continuing the trend this season, Messi has proved once again that he is the GOAT.
