BARCELONA are in a ton of trouble without Lionel Messi’s freakish free-kick scoring record.
Reaching an incredible 100 games without netting a free-kick is just one more reason why Barca want the legend back.
Lionel Messi ‘s 50-goal free-kick record at Barcelona included 10 in 2018Getty Images – Getty
ReutersBarca have failed to net a free-kick since Messi swerved this beauty against Valencia on May 2 2021, joining PSG three months later[/caption]
AFPPSG could lose out on Messi’s dead-ball genius if he returns to Barcelona[/caption]
Messi‘s deadball stunner against Valencia on May 2 2021 was the Spanish giants’ last such goal.
He notched 50 free-kicks in all during his 17 years with Barca, plus 10 for Argentina and two for PSG – a conversion rate of 9.1%.
And Nou Camp chief Xavi admits they’ve struggled to find a dead-ball replacement – despite trying and failing with EIGHT big names.
Those having a go include Memphis Depay, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Seven-time Ballon d’or winner Messi, 35, is out of contract with PSG in the summer.
And Barca are reportedly willing to pay the 2022 World Cup winner around £22million a year – a QUARTER of his old Nou Camp salary
In contrast, he could pick up annual wages of £375m if he joins Al-Hilal, the major rivals to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Messi has amassed 31 goals and 33 assists in 69 matches for PSG.
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And although he’s only bagged two free-kicks for the French champions-elect, he had an awesome record for such long-range swervers with Barca, peaking with 10 in 2018.
How the Catalonians would love to see something Nou and old like that again.
Messi is also into double figures with Argentina for free-kick goalsRichard Pelham / The Sun
Getty Images – GettyMADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 16: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona gets ready to take a free kick during the Supercopa de Espana Final 2nd Leg match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 16, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)[/caption]