Lionel Messi Has Reached 75 Career Free-Kick Goals
The football star has climbed to second place on the all-time list for direct free-kick goals.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Do individual statistical records make a player the greatest of all time?
Lionel Messi has reached a career total of 75 direct free-kick goals after scoring six times throughout 2026. This milestone moves him into second place on the all-time ranking of career free-kick scorers.
Why it matters
The feat highlights the enduring precision and longevity of one of footballs greatest players. Messi remains in pursuit of the all-time record while distancing himself from other legendary specialists and contemporaries.
Lionel Messi holds 75 career free-kick goals, placing him behind only record-holder Marcelinho Carioca, who has 78. Other notable scorers include Jair with 74, Roberto Dinamite with 73, Juninho Pernambucano with 72, and Cristiano Ronaldo with 63.
The players
Lionel Messi
He is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Marcelinho Carioca
He is a former Brazilian professional footballer who holds the all-time world record for career direct free-kick goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo
He is a 41-year-old Portuguese professional footballer and prolific goalscorer who remains an active competitor.
The details
Messi has shown consistent performance in set-piece situations, notably recording 34 of his free-kick goals in 2017 alone. He currently trails the career record by just three goals as he continues his professional career.
Timeline
Messi recorded 34 free-kick goals in 2017.
Messi scored six free-kicks during 2026.
Planet Football updated its ranking on September 23, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Messi is positioned to challenge the historic standard established by the all-time record holder Marcelinho Carioca. This chase adds a significant narrative arc to his later career as he aims to claim the top spot in set-piece history.
Messi requires three more successful direct free-kick goals to tie the all-time world record. This chase remains a key statistical marker for fans and analysts monitoring the competitive standing of the sport's greatest specialists.
The takeaway
Lionel Messi continues to redefine offensive efficiency through his consistent ability to score from dead-ball situations. His current progression demonstrates how elite skill sets remain impactful even in the later stages of a professional career.
Further reading
For more on professional play and athlete records, explore our Soccer section.
Live Poll
Do individual statistical records make a player the greatest of all time?
