Dead Ball Genius: How Messi Learned From Maradona, Ronaldinho And Deco To Become The Game's Greatest Free-Kick Taker

He has scored an astounding 52 of them in his career and four just this season. Giving a 'dead ball lesson' with his hat trick in the 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, it is not without his own tutors that Lionel Messi became the game's greatest free-kick taker.