Messi's latest wonderful performance came just days after Brazilian legend Pele slammed the little magician for only using one skill throughout his career. Pele believed he's also way too left-footed and isn't great in the air.
Not many fans shared the opinion of Pele and Barca's official Twitter account fired back at the Brazilian on Sunday evening.
Alongside a video of Messi lashing in some beautiful free-kicks in the warm-up, Barca simply wrote: "He only has one skill."
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After the game, Messi tried to explain to the press how he has perfected the art of taking free-kicks.
"I try to follow a ritual, trying to do it in the same way if it works so that it comes off again," Messi said, per Sport.
"It came off twice but sometimes you take a ton and none go in. I was lucky enough that two went it."
In the last four years, Messi has scored 19 direct free-kicks, which is more than any other club as a whole in European football.
Juventus are just behind him with 18, Miralem Pjanic and Paulo Dybala the pair to thank most for their number.
Messi is surely now one of the front-runners when it comes to the topic of 'greatest free-kick taker in history'.
Je1
478
Pele made a fool of himself coming out to verbally attack Messi. Messi has never spoken about Himself being the best, he just focuses on playing his game. Saying MESSI only has one skill shows this guy doesn't understand football at all. cr7 Maradona and now Pele all are trying to say they are better than Messi, that proves who the real king is: THE LION MESSI!
shariffeyyulegunshot
352
When Messi is given free kick see who player look like
Vijayesh
315
I am still waiting for Pele to say sorry
fizzbizzie
269
it's the truth they can't handle.. just tells how much the world hates the truth.. we shall see who will. be talked about the most whenessi hangs his boots.. maradona did a lot on international scene, and even some in clubs.. Pele did a lot on international scene.. cr7 has a legacy in Portugal and 4 leagues.. Messi will only be talked about on barca TV when he ends his career cos his Argentina cabinet is empty, and all he has won has been for Barça.. you might throw stones at Pele now but you will agree with him. once Messi hangs his boot.. he will only be remembered as a Barcelona legend nothing more.. Argentina can't call him a legend cos he won nothing for them, not even a plastic cup and his cowardice reduces him to playing only for Barcelona.. Pele has a strong point, hate it or love it.. Messi isn't top 5 when it comes to players with skills..
iwisdom
250
For me if someone said that Messi has one skill, then he should really be the greatest player of all time for using just one skill to top goal scoring charts, top assists charts, top dribbles completed, top chances created, top everything for the past 14 years! Pele didn't really analyse the situation I guess. He should have noticed the one skill footballer is his fellow countryman, Willian!
Pippa Nero
224
Only one skill pele is a dreamer, Messi dribbling consist of the side step and body feints I just mentioned two skills, is shooting he can used finesse both with the inside of his foot and outside, he can also go for power, he free kicks are off the chain that’s another skill, Messi can head a ball too but his height doesn’t give him much options in that area, he is also very left legged but can also score with his right and even do the chip, what he lacks in physicality he makes up for in agility, game understanding, mental superiority and can beat any player when the moment arise, players like pele even Ronaldo relied on their physical strength to be great Messi relies on his technical awareness to achieve his goals. Messi is better than Ronaldo, Maradona and pele,only Maradona comes close and Messi had more impact for a longer period than him and still counting.
Vijayesh
201
not sure what Pele said
Vuyabdimt
176
pele too overrated others have made you.look good. messi does well enough on his own he can take on the opposition AND play ball..not wait for the ball to be placed on his boots to score jes a magician with the ball.something you lacked.
mayorcool
169
when you don't know the value of what you have until he's gone and never come back,you mark my word all his haters still gonna blame their selfs coz they really known who the best his, but can't withstand their opinion
Rajsus
143
one skill is enough to destroy all the hater.
Cule_Bekwe
54
Edson Arantes do Nascimento... ............weldone but see the one skilled player