Messi's free-kick vs USA | Copa America 2016

[Stanley]

Have you ever seen a better free-kick than this in your life? Can't say I have.

He breaks the all-time goal-scoring record for Argentina with it too...

[deadendjob]

Pretty farking remarkable.

[Del]

Superb.

[Bigdave]

Was fantastic alright but best you've ever seen?

I'd stick Gazza's against Arsenal in the cup semi over that.

[lymehoop]

Stan's last minute winner in an epic 5th rd replay against Coventry. They had us on the ropes too

[MattyRangers]

Bloke is the best ever in my eyes.

His critics seem to use the "he doesn't do it for his country" line, yet he is their all time top goal scorer and has won Player of the Tournament at a World Cup

Incredible player.

[Ginger Ninja]

Payet for West Ham vs Palace last season was better imo. Good free kick though.

[uptheR's]

Good but definitely not best ever. Beckham vs Greece was better, Roberto Carlos against Italy I think was also better. Loads bettwr but still a great free kick and a great player

[Stanley]

Beckham vs Greece was better

No chance. This FK tops that easily.

[Shepherds Mush]

Top free kick but not better than Roberto Carlos against France in La Tournoi.

[Norths]

Robbie Carlos

[Del]

I don't put Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo in the same league as the likes of Messi, Beckham, Zidane etc. RC and Ronaldo basically have a technique, especially in Ronaldo's case, which Bale now uses also, to strike the valve which causes the ball to move differently or unnaturally and confuse keepers, but there's no culture or quality about what they are doing. It is effectively hit and hope hence the majority just slam into the wall or go way off target and their scoring percentage must be shocking, especially given Ronaldo pretty much takes every kick for Madrid. Bale uses that technique too and his two goals in this Euro's were not what I'd call good free kicks even though they went in (and yes I know that's what counts, but you know what I mean). Neither were anywhere near the posts and were ultimately down to keeper error as they didn't even move that much.

The best Free Kick takers, like those mentioned above and many others including Payet recently or Zico and Platini to name some legends, are players that place the ball accurately with real quality and curve, if required, aiming for the corners beyond the keepers reach. That goal Messi scored was a sublime example. Not only was it pinpoint accurate, but more than that he had it up and dropping downwards right in the corner as opposed to going straight into the corner on a lower trajectory.

[Shepherds Mush]

I don't put Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo in the same league as the likes of Messi, Beckham, Zidane etc. RC and Ronaldo basically have a technique, especially in Ronaldo's case, which Bale now uses also, to strike the valve which causes the ball to move differently or unnaturally and confuse keepers, but there's no culture or quality about what they are doing. It is effectively hit and hope hence the majority just slam into the wall or go way off target and their scoring percentage must be shocking, especially given Ronaldo pretty much takes every kick for Madrid. Bale uses that technique too and his two goals in this Euro's were not what I'd call good free kicks even though they went in (and yes I know that's what counts, but you know what I mean). Neither were anywhere near the posts and were ultimately down to keeper error as they didn't even move that much.

The best Free Kick takers, like those mentioned above and many others including Payet recently or Zico and Platini to name some legends, are players that place the ball accurately with real quality and curve, if required, aiming for the corners beyond the keepers reach. That goal Messi scored was a sublime example. Not only was it pinpoint accurate, but more than that he had it up and dropping downwards right in the corner as opposed to going straight into the corner on a lower trajectory.

Question isn't about who is better it is have you ever seen a better free kick.

[Del]

Question isn't about who is better it is have you ever seen a better free kick.

Yeah but the point is, no matter how good RC's in the Tournoi may have been, it was a 1 in 20 effort as his countless wasted FK's testify. With that in mind, I don't rate it as highly personally because it is just hit and hope like most his others. On that occasion it just happened to come off.

Recent similarity was David Luiz who missed endless FK's for Chelsea the other year, never scoring and rarely if ever making the keeper make a save because there was no actual quality about them, just hit and hope, yet in the WC he hit one that happened to find the target and some were lauding him up as a brilliant FK taker. It's ridiculous.

[Stanley]

I don't put Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo in the same league as the likes of Messi, Beckham, Zidane etc. RC and Ronaldo basically have a technique, especially in Ronaldo's case, which Bale now uses also, to strike the valve which causes the ball to move differently or unnaturally and confuse keepers, but there's no culture or quality about what they are doing. It is effectively hit and hope hence the majority just slam into the wall or go way off target and their scoring percentage must be shocking, especially given Ronaldo pretty much takes every kick for Madrid. Bale uses that technique too and his two goals in this Euro's were not what I'd call good free kicks even though they went in (and yes I know that's what counts, but you know what I mean). Neither were anywhere near the posts and were ultimately down to keeper error as they didn't even move that much.

The best Free Kick takers, like those mentioned above and many others including Payet recently or Zico and Platini to name some legends, are players that place the ball accurately with real quality and curve, if required, aiming for the corners beyond the keepers reach. That goal Messi scored was a sublime example. Not only was it pinpoint accurate, but more than that he had it up and dropping downwards right in the corner as opposed to going straight into the corner on a lower trajectory.

Spot on Del, couldn't have put it better. It's an absolute masterclass in free-kick taking - it has everything: technique (body shape and kicking position) bend, trajectory, power and above all, perfect placement into the top corner. Totally unstoppable.