Lionel Messi: The Best Free-Kick Taker In The World?

Even after last week’s El Clasico, Pepe stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is a “more complete player than Lionel Messi” – whether he’s right or wrong, it raises the issue of how and why this adjective “complete” gets thrown around when comparing players. Surely if “completeness” is the overriding factor in determining the best player in the world, a box-to-box midfielder who can attack and defend is a more “complete” player than Messi or Ronaldo, although I doubt we will see Bastian Schweinsteiger win the Ballon d’Or any time soon. However, isn’t that argument also being won by Lionel Messi?

He provides more assists for his teammates – while still scoring more goals – contributes at an international level and now he has even mastered set pieces. After all, he scored a free-kick in the second leg of the Supercopa, another free-kick against Paraguay just days later, one more against Real Madrid this past weekend and as if that wasn’t enough, he scored a fourth against Uruguay last night. So, do you think Messi has now cemented his place as the best free-kick taker in World Football? Vote in our poll below, and be sure to comment if you think anyone else is better.