Incredible Lionel Messi Matches Cristiano Ronaldo's Free-Kick Record

Following his remarkable free-kick goal on the weekend, Barcelona's Lionel Messi has now scored as many direct set-piece goals as longstanding rival Cristiano Ronaldo has after making up some big ground.

Messi inspired the Catalan club to a much-needed 3-2 LaLiga victory over Valencia on Sunday, keeping Ronald Koeman's side in the title race.

The Argentine struck twice, but it was his accurate free-kick from about 20 yards out in the 69th minute that saw him draw level with Ronaldo on 56 direct free-kick goals in his career, according to michelacosta.com.

At the end of the 2012/13 season, Ronaldo had scored from 36 direct-free-kicks in his career compared to Messi's 13 at the time, so the Argentine has caught up to his Portuguese counterpart in a big way.

10. Marcelinho Carioca – 59 goals

9. Rogerio Ceni – 59 goals

8. Ronald Koeman – 60 goals

7. Zico – 62 goals

6. Diego Maradona – 62 goals

5. David Beckham – 65 goals

4. Ronaldinho – 66 goals

3. Victor Legrottaglie – 66 goals

2. Pele – 70 goals

1. Juninho Pernambucano – 77 goals