Lionel Messi vs other free-kick specialists in Europe's top five leagues

It's not even a contest when it comes to Lionel Messi stepping over a free-kick or any dead ball situation for that matter. The Barça talisman has scored 21 goals direct from free-kicks in the last five seasons, meaning that he's head and shoulders above any of his competitors in that department.

🎯 Most free-kick goals in the last five seasons (Europe’s top five leagues):

• 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi: 21
• 🇷🇸 Aleksandar Kolarov: 8
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 James Ward-Prowse: 8
• 🇦🇷 Paulo Dybala: 7
• 🇪🇸 Iago Aspas: 7
• 🇮🇹 Simone Verdi: 6
• 🇪🇸 Dani Parejo: 6
• 🇫🇷 Nabil Fekir: 6
• 🇲🇰 Enis Bardhi: 6

The Argentine's free-kick last night against Athletic Bilbao was his 650th goal for Barcelona. 456 of those goals have come in LaLiga, while 49 of them have been direct free-kicks (38 of those have been in the Spanish top-flight). Magic. Barça is in Copa Del Rey action this Wednesday away to Granada.