Messi moves to second on all-time free-kick goals list, Ronaldo ninth
Lionel Messi has moved into second place on the all-time free-kick goals list with 75 direct strikes, surpassing Brazilian legends Juninho Pernambucano, Roberto Dinamite and Jair. His longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo sits ninth with 63 free-kicks, but the 41-year-old could still climb past Jorge Aravena, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Marcos Assuncao before hanging up his boots. Marcelinho Carioca remains ahead with 78 free-kicks. In 2026 alone Messi has added six free-kicks while playing for Inter Miami, showing his set-piece prowess hasn't faded with age. The achievement underlines how the two superstars continue to rewrite records even as they approach the twilight of their careers, keeping their rivalry alive for fans worldwide. As of the September 23, 2026 publication, these figures represent the most recent free-kick tallies. What does this mean for you as a football follower? Will Ronaldo manage to close the gap before retirement, or will Messi's late-career surge push the record further out of reach?