Messi and Ronaldo missing from the list of top 10 free-kick specialists of all-time

- Lionel Messi scored his 55th free-kick in his professional career in the past weekend

- However, the Barcelona star still falls behind players who have scored many goals from set-pieces

- Cristiano Ronaldo is also far behind his rival Messi but both are not in the top ten

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Lionel Messi took his free-kick haul to 55 following Barcelona's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the past weekend, The Sun.

But despite his impressive number of goals from direct free-kicks, Messi is still behind several players in the list of top ten players who have scored directly from a set-piece.

The Barcelona captain ranks higher than his fiercest rival Cristiano Ronaldo in this department. The 33-year-old is ranked 11th among the best free-kick takers in the world.

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Here are the top ten players who have scored directly from free-kicks in their career

10. Rogerio Ceni and Marcelino Carioca

Ceni as a goalkeeper netted a total of 59 direct free-kicks in his career and scored a total of 129 goals. He was the free-kick and penalty specialist during his spell with Sao Paolo.

On the other hand, vastly traveled Brazilian midfielder Carioca scored the same number of goals playing for 13 teams before calling it quits.

8. Ronald Koeman

The current Barcelona boss scored 60 times from set-pieces in his 239 career goals and he usually unleashed a bullet of a shot that pierces through defences.

7. Zico and Maradona

The Brazilian and Argentine World Cup legends both bagged 62 free-kicks in their illustrious careers.

Zico's technique was one of kind while Maradano makes it looks easy when he leans on the ball.

5. David Beckham

England fans will always remember Beckham's late free-kick against Greece that qualified the Three Lions for the 2002 World Cup.

The former Man United and Real Madrid star scored a total of 65 free-kicks duringhis ceremonious playing career.

4. Ronaldinho and Victor Legrottaglie

Legrottaglie scored 66 free-kicks during his 21-year spell in the Argentine league playing only for Gimnasia and Esgrima between 1953 and 1974.

Ronaldinho's famous free-kick at the 2002 World Cup against England earned them a place in the semi finals..

2. Pele

The legendary Brazilian footballer scored a total of 70 goals which still makes him to be regarded as one of the greatest of all time.

His goal against Romania at the 1970 World Cup is still his best strike from a direct set-peice.

1. Juninho Pernabucano

The former Lyon star has found the back of the net 77 times and most of them came from long range with a unique style that bounces in front of the goalkeeper.

In his eight seasons with the Ligue 1 side, he scored 44 free-kicks averaging five in every season.