Lionel Messi has 73international goals for the Argentine National Team, of all those goals it would surprise many to learn that Messi only scored seven goals off a free-kick. He scored his first free-kick goal in his 72nd game and 28th goal for Argentina.
On September 7, 2012, in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, Messi scored the final goal of a 3-1 victory from a dead ball situation. The goal was scored in the 63rd minute and Argentina took home the three points.
In October of that same year against Uruguay, in World Cup qualification, Messi would score two goals for Argentina in route to a 3-0 win. Messi’s second goal that night came from a on the ground free-kick that went past Fernando Muslera and sealed the match.
Messi’s third free-kick goal for the Albiceleste came at the biggest stage, the 2014 World Cup, in which Argentina were finalists. Messi scored a brace against Nigeria, with the matched tied at 1, Messi would score his second on a sensational free-kick that left the goalkeeper stunned as it went top left corner. Argentina would win the match with a hard-fought 3-2 scoreline.
Messi scores a cracking goal from a set piece in the 2014 World Cup. (Getty)
In the Copa America Centenario in 2016 Messi would score two free kick goals, the first in a hat-trick against Panama, the third goal of the match and Messi’s second came from a free kick. Argentina would finish the game with a 5-0 victory. His 55th goal, the goal that made him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer was against the United States in the semifinals. A masterpiece goal that left Brad Guzan stretching to no avail was hit with deadly precision and is one of Messi’s most fantastic goals ever.
Messi has just scored agoal off a dead ball for the first time in a long time against Chile in the Copa America 2021. The one before thatcame in a game against Colombia on November 15, 2016, again in a World Cup qualifier. Argentina would win the match 3-0 with Messi scoring the first off a set-piece.
Messi’s free kick shot is already getting in the net in Argentina vs Chile in Copa America 2021 (Getty).
Nearly five years later, the Argentine superstar was on target again through a magnificent free kick goal, which proved once again why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
