Lionel Messi Makes History With 67th Free Kick Goal

Coming into the match against Philadelphia, Messi was already the active leader in all-time free kick goals with 66. That is two more than Cristiano Ronaldo (64), who still plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr FC and the Portugal national team. 

Messi's 66th free kick, which came for Argentina in October 2024, moved him past Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham (65) and into a tie for third place with Ronaldinho of Brazil and Victor Legrotaglie of Argentina.

He has a long way to go to reach first place, but the way he struck his free kick against Philadelphia suggests that Messi still has plenty of juice left in his legs with the 2026 World Cup and a possible MLS contract extension on the horizon.

Including Messi's latest strike, here is the updated list as of May 24, 2025 of the top 10 players with the most direct free kick goals in history:

• Juninho (Brazil) — 77
• Pele (Brazil) — 70
• Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 67
• Ronaldinho (Brazil) — 66
• Victor Legrotaglie (Argentina) — 66
• David Beckham (England) — 65
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) — 64
• Zico (Brazil) — 62
• Diego Maradona (Argentina) — 62
• Rogerio Ceni (Brazil) — 61