{
  "id": 9306752,
  "title": "FULL LIST: All-time free-kick scorers, Messi moves to second, Ronaldo ninth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/full-list-all-time-free-kick-scorers-messi-moves-to-second-ronaldo",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T09:45:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/full-list-all-time-free-kick-scorers-messi-moves-to-second-ronaldo-ninth/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi has climbed to second place on the all-time free-kick goals list, overtaking several legendary Brazilian players, with Cristiano Ronaldo remaining just three goals behind him. Messi now has 75 direct free-kick goals, while Ronaldo sits on 63. The Argentine's six goals this year alone propelled him past players such as Juninho Pernambucano, Roberto Dinamite, and Jair. The gap between Messi and the record holder, Marcelinho Carioca, who has 78 goals, was once perceived as insurmountable. However, Messi's improvement in technique in his thirties has allowed him to pull significantly ahead. Ronaldo, now 41, remains ninth on the list, though it is unlikely he will climb into the top five.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi has moved to second on the all-time free-kick scorers list with 75 goals, just three behind the record, while Cristiano Ronaldo is ninth. Read More: https://punchng.com/full-list-all-time-free-kick-scorers-messi-moves-to-second-ronaldo-ninth/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FULL LIST: EPL clubs confirm jersey numbers for 2026/27 season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/full-list-epl-clubs-confirm-jersey-numbers-for-2026-27-season",
        "published": "2026-09-23T06:42:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "2026 Ballon d’Or: 20 African countries to vote for winner [Full List]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/2026-ballon-dor-20-african-countries-to-vote-for-winner-full-list",
        "published": "2026-09-23T07:50:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}