Lionel Messi was NEVER the BEST free-kick taker in Barcelona

LIONEL MESSI was only the THIRD best free-kick taker at Barcelona's academy - with the first two options now playing in Spain's third-tier and Qatar.

The Argentina superstar, 32, has scored 22 goals from direct free-kicks since 2015 alone - with no TEAM able to match that tally, let alone individual.

In fact, Messi has scored more free-kicks (10) since arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus than the Portuguese star has managed to even get over the wall (9).

But Messi hasn't always been the dead-ball specialist he is today - with Diego Maradona credited with helping that part of his game while national coach between 2008 and 2010.

Meanwhile, others credit Messi's ability to almost "sprain his own ankle" on his approach to the ball as the key reason for his free-kick success.

And now Messi's former Barcelona team-mate, Roger Giribet, has revealed the Nou Camp legend was only the third option from set-pieces at La Masia.

VICTOR VAZQUEZ

Victor Vazquez scored one goal in three first-team appearances for Barcelona

SIX months older than Messi, Vazquez was the No1 set-piece option at La Masia.

But the attacking midfielder managed just ONE La Liga appearance for Barcelona - and three in total.

Vazquez's highlight from his Nou Camp days was scoring in the Champions League against Rubin Kazan in 2010-11 - hi final season at the club.

After watching former team-mate Messi tear up the global footballing stage from the Barcelona C and B teams, Vazquez eventually left in 2011, sold to Club Brugge by Pep Guardiola.

After four-and-a-half years in Belgium, Vazquez moved on to Mexican side Cruz Azul, before heading north to Canadian side Toronto FC in the MLS.

He is now in Qatar, at Umm Salal following a year at Al-Arabi.

JUANJO CLAUSI

Juanjo Clausi, front-right, has endured a journeyman career since being sold by Barcelona in 2006

THE forward enjoyed fewer years at the Nou Camp than Vazquez and Messi having been sold in 2006 - having only managed to break into the Under-19s team.

In fact, since leaving Barcelona, Clausi has been moved on 13 TIMES - including three spells at CS Illescas and even a stint at Benidorm.

Clausi currently plays for Tercera Division (third-tier) side CF Paterna.

Source: The Sun