Few moments in soccer are as breathtaking as a perfectly executed free-kick. The technique, precision, and nerve it takes to lift the ball over the wall and into the top corner separate the great from the truly extraordinary. And when it comes to free-kicks, two names inevitably rise to the top: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This age-old debate has once again been reignited following Messi’s sensational match-winner against Porto at the FIFA Club World Cup, where the Inter Miami captain curled a trademark set piece into the top corner, sending his club into the history books and adding yet another milestone to his storied career.
With Inter Miami trailing early to Porto and needing inspiration, Messi stepped up in the 54th minute, delivered an exquisite left-footed free-kick, and changed the entire trajectory of the match. The strike not only secured a 2-1 comeback victory but also ended a 12-year unbeaten run for European clubs at the FIFA Club World Cup, with Miami becoming the first-ever North American club to defeat European opposition in a competitive FIFA tournament.
With that goal, Messi not only won the match—he joined an elite club of players to have scored free-kicks in both the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The list includes legends like Fernando Hierro, Ronaldinho, Ronald Gomez, and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
But beyond the prestige, Messi’s goal marked the 68th free-kick goal of his career, allowing him to pull further ahead in a category that continues to define his second act as a player.
The numbers: Messi vs. Ronaldo
So, who has the edge when it comes to free-kick brilliance? Let’s look at the stats that separate the two:
Lionel Messi – 68 career free-kick goals
League: 43 (1 every 14.3 games)Champions League: 5 (1 every 23.9 games)Other Club Competitions: 9 (1 every 15.0 games)International: 11 (1 every 17.5 games)All-Time Club Total: 57 (1 every 16.0 games)All-Time Career Total: 68 (1 every 16.3 games)
Cristiano Ronaldo – 64 career free-kick goals
League: 38 (1 every 19.2 games)Champions League: 12 (1 every 16.1 games)Other Club Competitions: 3 (1 every 49.7 games)International: 11 (1 every 20.1 games)All-Time Club Total: 53 (1 every 20.0 games)All-Time Career Total: 64 (1 every 20.0 games)
While Ronaldo remains a strong presence, particularly in Champions League free-kicks, it’s clear that Messi has overtaken him in overall free-kick efficiency, averaging a goal every 16.3 games compared to Ronaldo’s 20.0.
Interestingly, Ronaldo began his career with a reputation as a free-kick specialist, notably popularizing the knuckleball technique. However, his output declined over time, especially during his later years at Real Madrid and Juventus.
In contrast, Messi’s free-kick evolution skyrocketed after 2012, going from just five free-kick goals early in his career to double-digit tallies in individual years like 2018 (10 goals) and 2019 (eight goals).
