Not that anyone needed a reminder, but Lionel Messi showed the world again Wednesday night how great a free-kick taker he is.
With Barcelona’s Copa del Rey tie against Athletic Bilbao level on aggregate, Messi stepped up in the 78th minute and curled a stunning free kick into the far corner to book his team’s place in the quarter-finals.
It was the third straight game in which Messi had scored a free-kick, after his late equaliser on Sunday against Villarreal and Barcelona’s only goal in their first-leg loss to Bilbao last week.
The Argentinian has long been established as one of the world’s greatest free-kick takers, and his skill has kept Barcelona alive in matches over the last seven days.
Here, we take a look at ten of his best free-kick goals for club and country.
Barcelona vs Sevilla, August 11, 2015
Messi actually scored two free-kicks in this classic European Super Cup encounter against Sevilla, but the first goal edges out the second.
It seemed as if the free-kick position was too close for Messi to get the ball up and over the wall, but he did just that, with a beautiful strike that looked similar to a delicate chip.
Almeria vs Barcelona, March 6, 2010
Another free-kick that was delivered with a soft flick of the ball and straight into the top corner.
Argentina vs Uruguay, October 13, 2012
Every genius free-kick taker has one of these in his collection: when everyone in the wall jumps, only for the ball to trickle under them and into the back of the net.
Normally such strikes happen from a little closer to the goal, but against Uruguay, Messi unleashed a dazzling effort from 25 yards.
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao, January 11, 2017
Wednesday night’s free-kick ranks among Messi’s best, not only because of its importance, but also because of its sheer quality.
The Barcelona magician left keeper Gorka Iraizoz wrong-footed, with the Bilbao net-minder expecting the free-kick to come towards his right before seeing it settle against the post on his left.
Argentina vs Paraguay, September 7, 2012
Messi doesn’t only do delicate free-kicks. This one against Paraguay, from a distance where some might say Cristiano Ronaldo is more likely to score, showed that Messi has a similar range as his Real Madrid counterpart. A truly spectacular free-kick.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, October 7, 2012
This game is best remembered for an epic duel between Messi and Ronaldo, with both players scoring twice in a 2-2 draw. Messi’s free-kick was among the best seen in El Clasico, not least for the image of Iker Casillas in full flight in a vain attempt to prevent the goal.
Barcelona vs Almeria, March 2, 2014
Another time Messi demonstrated his power along with his placement. Left-footed players would usually struggle to score a free-kick from this angle, but not all left-footed players are Lionel Messi.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, January 6, 2013
Any goal for Barcelona against Real Madrid is sweet, but this particular goal would have been even sweeter for Messi because of who was standing in the Madrid wall. Ronaldo had a close view as the ball flashed past him and into the net.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid, February 26, 2012
An astonishing free-kick, from the days where players didn’t have to wait for referees to mark out ten yards and use their magic spray before the kick could be taken.
Messi signalled to the referee that he wanted to take this kick quickly. From a perfect angle for a right-footed player, the 29-year-old curled the ball inside the far post for a glorious goal.
Barcelona vs Sevilla, February 28, 2016
The list begins and ends with Sevilla. Again, from the opposite side of a left-footer’s usual position, Messi struck the ball with enough power and accuracy to guide the free-kick into the top right corner of the far post.