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

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Radio Gol

·28 Juni 2026

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

With this new celebration in the Argentina national team jersey, 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 now within striking distance of breaking a record that for decades seemed impossible to match.

The select podium the captain is chasing

Marcelinho Carioca: The iconic Corinthians idol leads the all-time chart with 78 free-kick goals scored between 1988 and 2009. His extraordinary precision keeps him at the top, just six goals 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 brilliance

After becoming, in this same 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 set-piece accuracy he continues to show both for the national team and Inter Miami, the Argentine forward is positioning himself to claim the outright throne as the greatest free-kick specialist of all time.