Lionel Messi has moved into second place on the all‑time free‑kick scorers list, registering his 75th set‑piece goal, according to a report from Punch Nigeria.
The Argentine forward’s tally leaves him just three goals short of the record for most free‑kick goals in football history.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, sits in ninth place on the same ranking.
The list, compiled from official match data, highlights the enduring value of dead‑ball expertise in the modern game, with a handful of players consistently delivering from set‑piece situations.
Messi’s ascent underscores his continued proficiency in this specialised skill, while the gap to the record remains a focal point for both fans and analysts as the season progresses.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>