Messi's direct freekick secret: Three different ways of hitting the ball FC Barcelona Scored 32 in this manner

A real headache for the goalkeepers is the way in which Leo Messi takes his direct freekicks.

In his infinite repertoire - well, without counting Pele's opinion - the No.10 has become a dead ball specialist in recent years.

He pampers the ball, raises his head, arches his body and hoists the ball into the net.

However, he wasn't always so deadly on set pieces.

The Argentinian began taking direct kicks in the 2008/09 season.

Messi scored his first goal in this manner after thirteen shots (spread over three seasons) and since then he's managed to hit the target in 11 consecutive seasons: 32 direct freekick goals from 407 shots.

Leo Messi 's freekicks throughout his career

2004/05 Freekicks: 0 Goals: 0 2005/06 Freekicks: 0 Goals: 0 2006/07 Freekicks: 1 Goals: 0 2007/08 Freekicks: 5 Goals: 0 2008/09 Freekicks: 7 Goals: 1 2009/10 Freekicks: 16 Goals: 2 2010/11 Freekicks: 21 Goals: 1 2011/12 Freekicks: 49 Goals: 3 2012/13 Freekicks: 44 Goals: 3 2013/14 Freekicks: 36 Goals: 3 2014/15 Freekicks: 50 Goals: 2 2015/16 Freekicks: 42 Goals: 4 2016/17 Freekicks: 45 Goals: 2 2017/18 Freekicks: 72 Goals: 7 2018/19 Freekicks: 19 Goals: 4

Productivity has reached its highest levels over the last two seasons, thanks to more practising and a change in strategy when hitting the ball.

It all adds up.

The use of the referee's spray to place the wall - at 9.15 metres away - has increased the effectiveness of the Argentine.

Change in the way of hitting the ball

To perfectly execute a direct freekick, you have to be able to coordinate various skills: strength, positioning, striking, balance and vision.

Messi has changed his way of hitting the ball in training, using plastic dolls as a barrier between him and the goal.

One of the main changes is in the leg support (with an angle of 50 degrees), which is even more important than the hit.

In his first freekicks, the support leg (right) maintained the balance of the whole body practically with the outside of the boot.

That made Messi lose stability and control in the shot.

Now he plants almost the entire boot on the ground before hitting the ball.

To improve shot accuracy, Messi has also changed his body position, arching the body (shoulders and chest) to finish caressing the ball.

Also, the turn of his body is not the same, as his completion of the move is more 'compact' than when he first took direct freekicks in his early years.