One stat that emerged regarding Messi’s free kick ability following his exploits against Espanyol showed that he may very well be one of the best set pieces takers of all time.
As per journalist MisterChip on Twitter, Messi had scored 18 times from free kicks since January 2014 following his first against Espanyol, something that means he’s scored more from dead ball situations than any other club in Europe’s top five leagues apart from Juventus.However, there was still more to come from Messi in the match, as he scored from another set piece midway through the second half, meaning that he’s now scored more free kicks (19) than any club in Europe’s top five leagues since January 2014.
This is simply ridiculous when you consider the wealth of brilliant set pieces takers there are out there playing at the highest level in Europe.
It’s going to be interesting to how Messi’s ranked in the lists of best ever free kick takers once he finally hangs up his boots.https://www.caughtoffside.com/2018/12/09/ridiculous-lionel-messi-stat-shows-just-how-good-barcelona-superstar-is-from-dead-ball-situations/?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C6867086508

Pele be like

Football will lose some taste when this guy stops playing!