Is Messi now an elite free kick taker?

by BarrileteCosmico Mon May 06, 2013 1:44 am

I remember his free kick technique was criticized even two years ago. Is he now one of the world's best at it?

by RealGunner Mon May 06, 2013 1:47 am

For me, definitely. You always expect him to score from a freekick nowadays. or hit the target at least.

by Onyx Mon May 06, 2013 1:48 am

His free kicks are very accurate. One of the best free kick takers in the World.

by neuro11 Mon May 06, 2013 6:09 am

True, i earlier i would not bother about our freekick opportunities. But nowadays i am more curious to see what happens. The success rate increased above 70% (i guess)

by BarcaLearning Mon May 06, 2013 6:22 am

Hes been elite freekick for a long time already? Very Happy

Very consistent, accurate, with a wonderingly high success rate!

by Adit Mon May 06, 2013 6:33 am

DOnt think so. How many freekicks he has scored this season?

for the nth time hitting the target in freekick is nothing to clap about imo.

Just chipping above the wall only for Keeper to make a weak save is as bad as freekick as just missing it by one meter or two.

Perfect power and accuracy (and curve too) .The first two are important ,only one doesnt cut it.

by Sushi Master Mon May 06, 2013 6:50 am

Poor man's Arango (most underrated free kick taker ever).

by harhar11 Mon May 06, 2013 8:09 am

Adit wrote:DOnt think so. How many freekicks he has scored this season?

for the nth time hitting the target in freekick is nothing to clap about imo.

Just chipping above the wall only for Keeper to make a weak save is as bad as freekick as just missing it by one meter or two.

Perfect power and accuracy (and curve too) .The first two are important ,only one doesnt cut it.

In the league he is the top freekick scorer with C.Ronaldo, both at 3 goals, and 6 on all competition with club and country..

by Harmonica Mon May 06, 2013 1:17 pm

Is Messi now an elite free kick taker? Messi%20freekick%201%20Betis

Is Messi now an elite free kick taker? Messi%20freekick%202%20Betis

He's scored the most freekicks in the world last 1,5 years, from close range, 30 meters, over the wall, under the wall and from wonky angles. I think that makes him "elite" freekick taker.

by Valkyrja Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:50 am

Why does he keep taking them when Neymar is playing ? He's awful at taking free kicks tbh

by titosantill Sun Oct 26, 2014 10:18 am

he is definitely an elite free kick taker. being elite from set-pieces doesn't mean you score everytime, hell, even once every 3 or 4 tries isn't bad to be honest....that he missed that one against us today doesn't all of a sudden make him bad at it. i'll put him in top ten or top 5 among freekick specialists today. and even within that list most of the other players have probably not scored at a consistent ratio in quite some time