From Real Madrid to Manchester United, the world's top teams have tried and failed to stop Lionel Messi.
But La Liga's Real Sociedad have clearly put some fresh thought into the seemingly never-ending conundrum of how to prevent Barcelona's little magician from once again getting one over on his opponents.
Socieded, sixth in the table and well behind Barcelona who jumped back to top spot thanks to their 1-0 victory on Saturday, almost held out at the Camp Nou until Messi netted with an 81st minute penalty for his 19th league goal of the season.
While there was little they could do about that incident, thanks to a helping hand from VAR, they certainly did their homework when it came to trying to thwart Messi as the Argentine lined up a 25-yard free-kick.
Rather than pushing their defensive line high to create the chance of an offside, Sociedad instead packed the goal mouth with players to give Messi the minimum target to aim at.
Dropping one player back on the line just before the moment that the kick is taken to assist the goalkeeper is not unusual, but filling the penalty area with defenders for a set-piece so far from goal is a new tactic which could well catch on among other sides.
Sociedad were successful on this occasion, as Messi rather tentatively curled his strike towards goal and it was headed clear on the six-yard line.
The 32-year-old has scored more than 50 free-kicks in his career and netted two in one match against Celta Vigo in November. His best free-kick was arguably against Liverpool in the Champions League last season at Camp Nou.
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Marcus Rashford, Lionel Messi and the 10 most legendary free-kicks
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Marcus Rashford, Chelsea v Manchester United, October 2019: Did anyone expect him to score as he lined up 35 yards out? He obviously knew he could, and so he did. An incredible strike. PA Photo -
Lionel Messi, Barcelona v Liverpool, May 2019: He may be small but it doesn’t mean the Argentine can’t ping one in the top corner from 30 yards as he did in the Champions League semi final. It was a glorious, arcing strike on a night when Messi was at his imperious best. He scored his 50th free-kick this week against Valladolid. Liverpool FC via Getty Images -
Teofilo Cubillas, Peru v Scotland, June 1978: Truly one from the archives and a World Cup classic, yet it still feels so unique. The set piece was right on the edge of the penalty area and instead of an instep-curler over the wall, Cubillas went for an outside of the foot curler around the wall at the near post and it looked effortless. Beautiful. Great kit too. AP Photo -
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United v Portsmouth, January 2008: These were the early days of the knuckle-ball shot where the striker used the laces rather than curving with the instep. Many went straight into the crowd, but this one was utter perfection with no spin whatsoever imparted as it flew past David James in goal. Manchester United via Getty Images -
David Beckham, England v Greece, October 2001: England needed a draw to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and were surprisingly losing as Beckham stood over the ball in the 93rd minute. It was this moment that turned him into a national hero as he unleashed one of his trademark, bending set-pieces into the top corner and caused utter pandemonium around the country. Bend it like Beckham indeed. Reuters -
Ronaldinho, Brazil v England, June 2002: Fluke or deliberate? He says he meant to lob David Seaman in the World Cup quarter final (not the first time that had happened to the keeper in a big match), and debate rumbled on for years. He was 10 yards from the touchline, and about 40 yards from goal when he sailed the ball high enough to clear Seaman, and with enough dip to tuck in under the crossbar. Getty Images -
Roberto Carlos, Brazil v France, 1997: The free kick that seemingly defied the laws of physics. Everyone knew about Carlos’s hammer of a left foot but in this instance he added extraterrestrial swerve to send the ball around the wall rather than over it with the outside of his boot. It was dramatic in every respect – especially with his 20-yard run up. Boom. Getty Images -
Paul Gascoigne, Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal, April, 1991: This was Gazza at his best before injury decimated his career. The balls were heavier in those days and he was 30 yards out at Wembley with David Seaman and a wall in his way. He drove it with both curve and venom into the top corner and typically went wild when it hit the back of the net during what was an FA Cup semi-final. PA Images via Getty Images -
Ronald Koeman, Barcelona v Sampdoria, 1992: Stages don’t get much bigger than this – the European Cup final. And Koeman’s thunder-foot provided the only goal of the game. Watching it again, it should never have been a free-kick in the first place, but the Dutchman made the most of the opportunity with a blistering drive despite hardly any run-up. Getty Images -
Ronald Koeman, Holland v England, October, 1993: Him again. One of the lowest points of England’s international football history as their hopes of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup were left in tatters. Koeman took centre stage. A duffed first free kick was allowed to be retaken and he made no mistake the second time around with the most deft falling leaf chip over the wall you are ever likely to see. Koeman later avoided one of the most blatant red card fouls football has seen. Did England not like that. Colorsport / Shutterstock
