Former Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcântara has revealed a fascinating secret behind Lionel Messi’s incredible free-kick ability — he never practiced them.
In a recent interview, Rafinha shared a story that left many fans astonished, highlighting just how naturally gifted the Argentine legend truly is.
Rafinha, who spent several seasons alongside Messi at Camp Nou, recalled the surprising detail about the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s training habits.
“In all the years I was with him at Barcelona, I never saw him practice a single free kick!” he said.
The statement has since gone viral, offering football fans a rare glimpse into the effortless genius of one of the game’s all-time greats.
This revelation adds another layer to the mystique surrounding Messi’s free-kick mastery.
Lionel Messi is more than just a goal scorer—he is an artist with the ball. One of his most iconic trademarks is his mastery of free kicks.
Messi has transformed dead-ball situations into moments of magic, bending shots into the top corner with astonishing precision.
Whether it’s spinning it around the wall, ducking it under, or placing it just beyond the goalkeeper’s reach, his free-kick technique has evolved into one of the best seen in football.
Over his legendary career, Lionel Messi has scored 69 direct free-kick goals in club and international football as of 2025, placing him third in football history behind Juninho Pernambucano (77) and Pelé (70).
Messi’s technique has often been described as an art form — a combination of elegance, precision, and control.
Analysts frequently point out his unique short run-up and subtle hip movement that allow him to whip the ball with deadly accuracy.
His signature shot, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner, has become so reliable that one former coach once joked it was like “a penalty for Messi.”
While Rafinha’s comments suggest Messi’s free-kick ability is purely instinctive, the Argentine himself has previously acknowledged that his technique evolved through experience.
“I started improving the way I hit the ball during training,” Messi once said, implying that his refinement came not from repetition but from understanding and adaptation over time.
His free-kicks continue to amaze the world — a blend of divine talent and quiet evolution that even his closest teammates still find hard to explain.
