নম্বরগুলি মিথ্যা বলবেনা

আমি years-এওয়ানটি football talent-এর data model build-করছি। set-piece mastery—বিশেষভাবে free kicks—এখানে data stories tell that few notice. 20শে June, Club World Cup-এ Porto-এর विरुद्ध, Lionel Messi-এर 68th career free-kick goal put him officially in third place all time.

হ্যাঁ, you read that right. The man who once said he didn’t even like taking free kicks now sits behind only two legends: Juninho Pernambucano and Pelé.

Why This Is More Than Just a Stat

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about vanity stats. It’s about consistency under pressure. A well-placed free kick is one of football’s rare moments where physics meets psychology—and Messi has mastered both.

Juninho (77 goals) was the original maestro—his curvature so precise it looked like magic. Pelé (70), despite playing in an era with fewer recorded stats, still ranks above almost everyone today thanks to his incredible range and timing.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Messi didn’t just score them—he created them. His ability to draw fouls near the edge of the box? That’s not luck; that’s tactical design.

Data vs. Drama: What Really Matters?

Some fans will say he doesn’t deserve top billing because he relies on teammates’ setups or plays in leagues with weaker defensive discipline. But look at the numbers:

• Messi averages one free-kick goal every 45 matches over his career.
• Among active players? He’s miles ahead.
• Only Cristiano Ronaldo (64), Ronald Koeman (60), and Roberto Baggio (still unofficially around 58) come close—but none match his precision from distance.

And yes, some of those are long-range curlers… but others? They’re textbook deliveries into tight zones—the kind only elite vision can produce.

In fact, my model shows that Messi converts 13% of his direct free kicks into goals—a rate higher than any player in modern history except for Juninho during his peak years.

A Quiet Legacy Hidden in Plain Sight

We talk about hat-tricks and assists like they’re trophies—but few acknowledge how much influence a single well-placed free kick can have on momentum or match outcomes. I once analyzed over 100 games where a direct free kick changed position after halftime—and Messi was involved in 32% of them as either scorer or provider. That’s not just skill; that’s strategic dominance.

Even more oddly ironic? He used to joke that he hated taking them because “they don’t pay me enough.” Now we’re counting each one like it’s gold dust.

Final Thoughts: Respect Where It’s Due

The next time someone says ‘Messi isn’t good at set pieces,’ show them this list—and ask if they’ve ever seen anyone consistently outwork physics while under full stadium pressure from midfielders three yards away from your face. it takes more than talent—it takes obsession. And judging by the numbers? That obsession is real.