Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham: Who is best free kicker in football history?

Lionel Messi saved Paris Saint-Germain from defeat against Lille with an incredible last-minute free kick on Sunday afternoon but he is not the only ruling this game phenomenon.

With the score tied at 3-3 well into stoppage time, PSG's losing skid appeared to be going to four games. But Messi made sure they would end that unwelcome run with a flash of genius. About twenty-five yards out, the Argentine won a free kick for his team.

Messi stepped up and used the post to curl a fantastic attempt into the net.

Following are the twelve footballers who have scored the most goals from free kicks in history.

12 Rogerio Ceni - 59

Ceni was the goalie. We say it again: Ceni was a stopper! Truly remarkable.

There are just two active players on the list, including Ronaldo.

By the time he puts up his boots, he might have cracked the top 10.

11 Marcelinho Carica - 59

Marcelinho played for teams like Flamengo, Corinthians, Santos, and Vasco de Gama over most of his career in Brazil.

10 Ronald Koeman - 60

Koeman was mostly a defensive-minded player, so his total is rather remarkable. Of his 239 career goals, slightly more than 25% came from free kicks.

9 Cristiano Ronaldo - 61

There are just two active players on the list, including Ronaldo.

By the time he puts up his boots, he might have cracked the top 10.

8 Zico - 62

Zico had a very successful career. With 48 goals for his nation, he ranks as the fifth-highest goal scorer in Brazilian history.

Maradona was able to accomplish nearly anything with a football. He was, among many other things, an expert at the free-kick.

7 Diego Maradona - 62

Maradona was able to accomplish nearly anything with a football. He was, among many other things, an expert at the free-kick. The 2010 World Cup fitness coach for Argentina, Fernando Signorini, described how Maradona shaped Messi into the free-kick expert he is today.

6 Lionel Messi - 61

Up to eighth is Messi. Though it will be difficult, you wouldn't bet against him placing in the top three.

5 David Beckham - 65

The most successful European free-kick taker in football history is Beckham.

4 Ronaldinho - 66

During the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho's most well-known free kick was likely scored for Brazil against England. When Ronaldinho took a shot from a sharp angle, he surprised David Seaman and everyone else watching at home. His attempt went around Seaman and into the upper corner.

3 Victor Legrottaglie - 66

Despite never playing for his country, he is rather accomplished to have scored the same number of free kicks as Ronaldinho and more than Maradona and Beckham combined.

2 Pele - 70

Pele's goal total from free kicks serves as one more testament to his excellence.

1 Juninho Pernambucano - 77

For a very long time to come, Juninho will continue to be the free-kick GOAT (best of all time).