Messi came close to Pernambucano's record for goals from free kicks

In the match of the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, the 39-year-old Argentine entered the field after the break and scored a spectacular goal with a direct free kick in the 80th minute. This ball became Messi's 72nd in his career, scored from a standard position. According to this indicator, he is ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 65 such goals. Ahead remains only the legendary Brazilian Juninho Pernambucano, who owns the world record — 77 goals from free kicks. Thus, Messi is only five shots away from the historic achievement. Recall that