How Many Free Kicks Has Messi Scored in His Career?
Total Free Kicks Scored by Lionel Messi
Alright, let’s get to the numbers first — because that’s what you’re here for, right? As of mid-2025, Lionel Messi has scored 65 goals from direct free kicks in official matches. Yep, sixty-five. That puts him among the top free-kick scorers of all time.
And it’s not just quantity — it’s the how. Curlers over the wall, cheeky under-the-wall tricks, long-range thunderbolts… The guy’s basically turned set pieces into a personal highlight reel.
Free Kick Goals by Club and Country
FC Barcelona: The Golden Years
Messi scored 50 of his free-kick goals during his time at Barcelona. Most of these came between 2012 and 2020, when he was in that freakish form — you remember those days: defenders frozen, keepers helpless, Camp Nou going wild.
At one point (around 2018), he was literally scoring from free kicks every couple of matches. It was kinda ridiculous. Some joked he was more dangerous with a dead ball than with an open shot. And you know what? Not far from the truth.
Argentina: Magic in Blue and White
For the national team, Messi has netted 11 free-kick goals (yep, including those screamers in Copa América). His goal against Chile in 2016? Chef’s kiss. The one in the 2021 final run? Ice cold.
Inter Miami & PSG
With PSG, he bagged 1 free-kick goal — not his best stint in terms of dead balls, honestly. But hey, new league, new rhythm.
At Inter Miami, he’s already added 3 free-kick goals, even though he’s barely been there a year. That debut goal? First touch, top corner — classic Messi entrance.
What Makes Messi’s Free Kicks So Effective?
Okay, now we’ve covered the numbers — but let’s talk why.
Technique and Precision
Messi doesn’t smash the ball. He guides it. Like, he almost whispers it into the top corner. His signature technique? A tight angle, slow run-up, and then — boom — perfect dip and curl. Goalies know what’s coming, but they still can’t stop it.
Mental Game
He’s not just a technician — he’s a reader of the moment. You can almost see him calculating the wall, the wind, the keeper’s stance… and then deciding where to slot it in. Half the magic is up in his head.
How Does Messi Compare to Other Free-Kick Legends?
Alright, let’s throw in some context. Where does Messi rank?
Juninho Pernambucano: Widely regarded as the GOAT of free kicks. He scored 77 in his career.
Pelé (depending on sources): Between 60 and 70.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Around 60, but with a lot more attempts (sorry CR7 fans — just facts).
So yeah, Messi’s up there — not just for his total, but for the quality and consistency. Especially considering he didn’t take many free kicks early in his career (Xavi and Ronaldinho usually handled those).
Random Tidbits and Fun Facts
In 2019, Messi scored 8 free-kick goals in a single season. That’s a modern record in Europe’s top leagues.
He once scored two free kicks in one game. Twice.
There’s a running joke that when Barcelona gets a free kick 20-25 meters out, it’s basically a penalty for Messi.
Also — fun (and kinda weird) story — I once met a guy who tattooed Messi’s 2018 free-kick goal vs. Atlético on his calf. Frame-by-frame. Wild.
So, Will He Score More?
Well… hard to say. He’s 38 now, and even though he's still bagging goals in MLS, age is a thing. But if anyone can keep bending ‘em in from 25 yards well into his 40s, it’s Messi. Heck, maybe he’ll retire with 70+ free kicks.
And honestly? I wouldn’t bet against him.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.