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New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How Lionel Messi consistently makes direct free kicks feel like penalties
Free kicks on the edge of the box always get fans leaning forward in their seats but when Lionel Messi is taking them, the excitement is amplified. The roar that came after his collision with Porto midfielder Ze Pedro on Thursday was deemed a foul belied the modest crowd of 31,783 inside the 72,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Advertisement This wasn't just anticipation, it was expectation. Former Scotland international Don Hutchison, commentating on DAZN's global feed, captured the mood: 'I'm calling goal, I fancy him.' And neither Hutchison nor the millions watching were left disappointed, as Messi curled his strike into the top right-hand corner past a despairing Claudio Ramos. Languages may differ, but the reaction's the same:👀🔥MESSI. WORLDIE. LEGEND. See it again in ALL Languages! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025 Few players stir such excitement in fans, and such inevitable dread in defenders, when standing over a dead ball. Positioned just three metres to the right of the penalty spot and 10 metres back, the free kick felt more like a penalty, and with Messi standing over it, the instinct was to treat it as one. DAZN pundit Shay Given, the former Newcastle goalkeeper, made that exact comparison in the post-match analysis. But just how good is Messi at direct free kicks? And is scoring them a trait he has had throughout his career, or — as with many players — has it waxed and waned over the years? Allow The Athletic to investigate. Even for Messi, a penalty from twelve yards with no wall is clearly the more presentable opportunity, reflected in the fact he has scored 112 career penalties compared to 68 free kicks. That said, the data shows Messi is firmly in elite territory when it comes to taking free kicks. In domestic league play alone, he has scored 43 free kicks from 491 attempts, a conversion rate of 8.8 per cent, well above the average of around 5.5 per cent across Europe's top five leagues in the last 15 years. In contrast his penalty conversion rate is around 80 per cent. Perfectly fine, but one of the few areas where he resembles a 'normal' player, rather than the greatest of all time. This exceptional career conversion rate is all the more impressive given that Messi wasn't especially prolific from free kicks in his early years after breaking into the Barcelona first team in 2004-05, with Ronaldinho, then in his swaggering pomp, understandably the team's primary taker. Messi's first La Liga free kick attempt came at home against Mallorca in 2006-07 and, given its wide right-sided position, it was arguably more of a venomous cross than a genuine shot. It wasn't until midway through the 2011-12 season that he had even taken 50 domestic league free kicks but by then, he had become Barcelona's go-to taker. His first domestic free kick goal was an outrageously audacious effort against Atletico Madrid in 2008-09. With goalkeeper Gregory Coupet distracted, shouting instructions at his wall while shifting toward the near post, Messi cheekily knocked the ball into the vacated far corner. 🏟️ Camp Nou⚽️ #BarçaAtleti🔙 05/10/2008 Messi's first EVER free-kick goal in #LaLiga came in a 6-1 @FCBarcelona win! 💙❤️ — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 16, 2018 But this moment of opportunism was more reflective of Messi's innate ability to read the game quicker than those around him, rather than a sign of technical prowess. At this early stage his conversion rate hovered around the average, as he had yet to hone his technique. As shown in the Messi free kick shot maps below, it wasn't until 2017-18 that Messi really started to hit his direct free kick groove, scoring five or more free kicks in that campaign and in the two that followed it. By this stage, football fans had come to recognise the key ingredients of a trademark Messi free kick, so let's take a closer look at what these are. First, positioning. Like his stunning strike on Thursday, Messi tends to favour central areas just outside the box, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner attempting around 10 per cent of his free kicks from this zone. His consistent set-piece technique plays a role, but part of Messi's effectiveness here stems from how exceptional he is at shooting from this area in general. As the open-play shot maps below show, Messi converts the same proportion of efforts from this zone when the ball is in play as when it's stationary. Next, there's placement. Thursday's effort followed a familiar pattern: a curling strike aimed towards the right-side of the net. The goal map below highlights Messi's favoured target zones, and this strike landed in his most common area, with 22 per cent of his free kicks finding the space just below the top-right corner. He does however send around 40 per cent of his free kicks to the right, which comes down to his preference for near-post efforts. When free kicks are located on the right hand side, he actually favours the left side much more, as shown below. It's just that Messi's technique naturally lends itself to near post efforts on the left handed side. Although he has a perfectly competent right foot, Messi quite rightly takes free kicks with his revered left one. This means that Messi's efforts naturally spin away from the keeper when aiming towards the right, but because they then spin towards the keeper on the left they require greater precision to beat him. Only 11 of his league free kicks have gone in on the left hand side. Advertisement A great example of the rarer left-side finish came against Liverpool in their 3-0 first leg semi-final Champions League victory in 2018-19, when Messi bent a near-post strike into that corner with inch-perfect, postage-stamp accuracy, just beyond goalkeeper Alisson's fingertips. It was the kind of finish that leaves no margin for error — unlike efforts to the right, where the natural curl generally gives Messi more room to work with. Messi's posture during these free kicks is instantly recognisable: right foot planted, body slightly hunched, ankle almost appearing rolled as he looks to generate that signature whip. But since leaving Barcelona in 2021, his free kick output has undergone a steady decline. He scored just two league free kicks across his two less fruitful seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and has managed only one apiece his last two MLS campaigns. Still, Messi remains by far the most prolific free kick scorer of the modern era. Since 2010-11, he has scored 39 free kicks in Europe's top five leagues — more than double his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits on 19. Messi is now on 68 across all competitions, and Thursday was yet another jaw-dropping reminder of how he got there.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Touched by God' - Messi shows he still has magic touch
Few things are as inevitable as the ball hitting the back of the net when Lionel Messi sizes up the target before executing a free-kick from 20 reminded world football - if we even needed a reminder - that he is still capable of delivering special moments during Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Porto at the Fifa Club World 37-year-old's free-kick was vintage, trademark, and there was nothing goalkeeper Claudio Ramos could do to save is, of course, a man who scored an eye-watering 73 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions during the 2011-12 season for centrally and on the edge of the D, the goal was at Messi's mercy, but he elected for the more difficult of the two options - going both over the wall and to the goalkeeper's that strike his 68th goal from direct free-kicks, Messi certainly has no shortage of experience and doesn't lack in anything when it comes to Juninho Pernambucano (77), who spent most of his career with Lyon and Pele (70) have scored more direct free-kicks than Messi."Touched by God, isn't he? Incredible. What a player," former Portugal defender Jose Fonte said on Dazn."If you get a chance to go see this guy live - you go and see him. This is what he does," ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given added on Dazn."It's nearly like a penalty for him - he is so precise. He is a genius."You call him maestro, magician, the words run out."Messi's strike followed another stunning finish from team-mate Telasco Segovia and completed a comeback victory to put Inter Miami firmly in the running for a spot in the last 16 at the Club World is the first time the MLS franchise have won a game at the competition and means a draw in their final Group A game against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, who sit top, would send both teams through. 'Still got those amazing feet' Just shy of two years on from swapping the shores of Europe and Paris St-Germain for the MLS, Messi maintains his position as one of the leading players in world took his tally to 50 goals in 61 games for Inter Miami and is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, albeit they were only founded in eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is no stranger to delivering in the Club World Cup, having scored six times in seven his time with Barcelona he scored five goals, including three in finals, and won the competition in 2009, 2011, 2015 - just three of the trophies collected in his illustrious has scored a remarkable 754 goals at club level and isn't showing any signs of slowing."He's the greatest player in the world," said Inter Miami team-mate Fafa sits joint-second in the rankings for all-time goalscorers at the Club World Cup alongside Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema with six, and is just one shy of the overall leader Cristiano Ronaldo (7).No player completed more than Messi's tally of two dribbles at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while he ranked fifth for most passes attempted in the game (56)."You can have a high pass completion, but you're not affecting the game," ex-Scotland midfielder Don Hutchison said on Dazn."Lionel Messi does both, he is affecting the game, he is controlling the game. He is controlling his team-mates, he never gives the ball away."Lionel Messi has still got those amazing feet. At his age, 37, still dancing through."Messi also tallied third for touches against Porto with 70 - only Sergio Busquets (85) and Porto's Fabio Vieira (99) enjoyed more. 'Showed to the world we can compete' Messi could celebrate his 38th birthday on Tuesday by booking a spot in the next phase of the Club World a blend of some ageing players like Messi, Luis Suarez, Busquets and Jordi Alaba - who all gave their best years to Barcelona - and some younger players from the Americas, Inter Miami have set their sights victory over Porto marked the first time an MLS team has beaten a European side in an official competition."Today we showed to the world and ourselves that we can compete against any team," manager Javier Mascherano told Dazn."It is great for the people of the USA to see our team compete in this kind of tournament."Prior to this edition of the re-formatted Club World Cup, only one MLS side had competed in the competition. Seattle Sounders, who are also involved this year, reached the second round in Sounders, Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are all bidding to impress on home soil over the next few weeks.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The key Celtic appointment made by Brendan Rodgers who Shay Given rates highly
Premier League legend Given worked with him at Newcastle United His name is often mistaken for an A-list celebrity. And Shay Given joked his old pal Adam Sadler is going all Hollywood these days. The Celtic first-team coach - not to be confused with funnyman Adam Sandler - arrived at Parkhead in 2023 after spells with Newcastle, Manchester City and Leicester. Sadler was reunited with Brendan Rodgers at Lennoxtown, having previously worked alongside him at the King Power Stadium. But years earlier, he was Premier League legend Given's goalkeeping coach at St James' Park. And despite touching down in Glasgow for a rare visit, Given revealed he was blanked by the Geordie - although he insists the Hoops have a real gem behind the scenes. The Irishman laughed: "I know him well. I texted him today for a coffee, but he said he's moving, he's too busy for me! "He's gone all big-time now. Adam was my goalie coach at Newcastle so we go back a long way. "But even then, he wanted to do outfield coaching. He's a big Geordie and Brendan worked with him at Leicester. "I think he's brilliant with the lads, he has a nice way about him. Jovial at times but serious when he needs to be. "I think he's a brilliant coach and a great lad." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Given 'prayed to God' Bonner wouldn't get injured
Cast your mind back to the are dominating the Scottish game and Pat Bonner is the Celtic goalkeeper.A fresh-faced 17-year-old Shay Given is on the Celtic bench "praying to God" the Ireland international didn't pull up injured and force his debut. He was "a nervous wreck".He needn't fear long, though, Bonner carried on and Given was never thrown in the deep fact, he never did make that Celtic debut. But he's done alright former Newcastle United great was back in Glasgow promoting next month's friendly between the two sides, and his trip back north brought back memories and that 'what if' feeling."Driving up the road there past Barrowfield, I remember we had to change here at the stadium, and I had to run down the road as an apprentice and train," he said at Celtic Park."The first team boys were driving past, blowing the horn and stuff. It's just all the memories come flooding back."I was on the bench once for an Old Firm game when I was 17, praying to God that Pat Bonner wasn't going to get injured because I was going to have to come off the bench at 17. I would have been a nervous wreck, if I'm being brutally honest."The club's changed so much since I was here at 16 until 18. Even the stadium, look around the stadium now, it's just phenomenal."I was here when the old jungle was there across from the dugout. The way the club has moved forward and moved on, it's a phenomenal club now. It's a totally different animal, as such, but it's great to see how the club has progressed."I always brings back a special feeling coming back here."
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Man City yet to receive Grealish offers - could a loan be the answer?
Manchester City have not received any formal offers for out-of-favour midfielder Jack international Grealish's club future is in doubt after he was left out of City's squad for the last Premier League game of the campaign at Fulham, as well as the Club World Cup in the United 29-year-old joined on a six-year deal from Aston Villa in 2021, costing £100m, and his reported weekly wages of £300,000 could deter potential was recently described by former City and Villa goalkeeper Shay Given as "a generational talent" and has been linked with clubs including Everton and Newcastle, but sources say there has yet to be a bid for the player. Analysis - Grealish's City days still look numbered Grealish was a British record signing when City brought him in, and he played a major role in the club's Treble-winning was at the forefront of City's celebrations afterwards but has struggled to find his best form over the past two that time he has netted just four Premier League goals and grown accustomed to warming the bench rather than gracing the Guardiola gave an impassioned response after leaving out Grealish for the Fulham game in May, saying that as City's manager he was the person who "fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season".But being left out of the Club World Cup squad suggests the two parties look like going their separate ways this summer, though who will be able to afford to take on such a big earner?A loan move with City paying a portion of the salary seems the most likely option for whoever can stump up sufficient cash to make that viable. Toure involved as City train in Florida Right-back Kyle Walker was also left out of Pep Guardiola's City squad for the trip to the USA and is free to find a new 35-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, but the Serie A club decided not to make the move arrived at their base in Boca Raton in Florida for the Club World Cup and held their first training session at Lynn University on signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli all took part, with City facing Moroccan side Wydad AC in their opening game in Philadelphia on coach and former defender Kolo Toure has been drafted in to help on the trip, alongside new assistant coach Pep Lijnders. City cut ticket prices Earlier on Friday, City announced they had cut ticket prices by up to 43% following protests by some fans last season who were unhappy with matchday pricing and season ticket took place before some matches outside Etihad Stadium and continued as supporters remained in the concourses at kick-off Guardiola said in April he had "sympathy" for those holding protests and the club had already committed to freezing season ticket Khaldoon Al-Mubarak had said he was "not OK" with how the club's ticketing strategy played out in advisory board City Matters said in a statement on Friday: "City Matters warmly welcome this announcement from the club, making matchday attendance more accessible and ensuring a vibrant atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium."This announcement shows the club's commitment to City Matters and is a positive end to this season and our working relationship."City Matters look forward to continued engagement and transparency with the club to achieve our shared ambition for Manchester City's success."Fans will be charged between £40 and £60 for home fixtures against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, with further reductions in other categories.
