Lionel Messi Leads the Way with 5 Free-Kicks in Ligue 1 This Season

In a season that has seen Lionel Messi lead the way for Barcelona, he has also proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the French Ligue 1. The Argentine forward has scored 2 goals and made 4 assists in his first nine appearances for the club this season.

Messi's free-kick prowess is well-documented, but it seems that he has taken it up a notch this year. He has already converted five out of six attempts from long-range, including one stunning effort against Rennes earlier this month.

The Argentine's free-kick skills have been on display throughout the season, with his ability to hit the target from distance making him a key player for Barca. His consistency in scoring from set-pieces has helped the team to maintain their position at the top of the table, and his free-kick goal against Lyon last weekend was a reminder of why he is considered one of the greatest players in the world.

Despite his success in France, Messi will undoubtedly want to continue to improve and develop his game further. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann also performing well for Paris Saint-Germain, there will be plenty of competition for spots in the starting line-up. However, Messi's exceptional talent and experience make him a clear favorite to win the Ballon d'Or award this year.