Messi Moves Into Second Place On All-Time Free-Kick Goals, Ronaldo In Ninth

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has moved into second place on the all-time list of players with the most direct free-kick goals.

The Argentina international has now scored 75 direct free-kick goals during his career, moving ahead of several Brazilian legends and further away from long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi scored six free-kick goals in 2026 alone, helping him surpass Brazilian greats Juninho Pernambucano, Roberto Dinamite and Jair.

Ronaldo currently has 63 direct free-kick goals and remains ninth on the all-time list, leaving him 12 goals behind Messi in this category.

Messi is now only behind Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho Carioca, who has scored 78 direct free-kick goals during his career.

At 41, Ronaldo still has the opportunity to move higher on the list before retiring, with Jorge Aravena on 65 goals, Siniša Mihajlović on 67 and Marcos Assunção on 68.

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