All from free-kicks: Messi nears historic record after goal v Jordan

In partnership with

Radio Gol

·28. Juni 2026

All from free-kicks: Messi nears historic record after goal v Jordan

With this new celebration wearing the Argentina national team shirt, the Rosario-born star climbed to fourth place in the all-time ranking of direct free-kick scorers, a spot he now shares with Brazilian Juninho Pernambucano. At 39 years old, the Albiceleste captain is within striking distance of breaking a record that for decades seemed impossible to match.

The elite podium the captain is chasing

Marcelinho Carioca: The iconic Corinthians idol leads the all-time table with 78 free-kick goals scored between 1988 and 2009. His extraordinary accuracy keeps him at the top, just six strikes ahead of Messi.
Jair Rosa Pinto: The historic Brazilian national team midfielder and runner-up at the 1950 World Cup holds second place with 74 goals. He starred for clubs of the stature of Flamengo, Palmeiras, Santos, and Vasco da Gama.
Roberto Dinamite: Vasco da Gama’s greatest historical figure ranks third. Although the most recent records credit him with 73 goals, there are statistical studies that place him level with Jair Rosa Pinto on 74.

Enduring excellence

After becoming, in this very edition of the World Cup, the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, Messi adds a new time-defying challenge to his professional career. Backed by the remarkable dead-ball accuracy he continues to show for both the national team and Inter Miami, the Argentine forward is positioning himself to claim the absolute throne among the greatest free-kick specialists of all time.