Lionel Messi scores 50th free-kick of his career for Barcelona and Argentina

Lionel Messi scored yet another spectacular free-kick on Tuesday night as the Barcelona talisman hit a milestone with his latest effort.

Few players are able to stop Messi in full flight, but the Camp Nou legend has learned to cope with being kicked out of a game: just score the free-kick instead.

Messi has become one of the most feared set-piece specialists in world football, and the 32-year-old was at it again as Barcelona took on Real Valladolid at home on Tuesday night.

Barca were in a spot of bother midway through the first half with the scores level at 1-1 after Valladolid had cancelled out Clement Lenglet's second-minute opener, but Messi made a sensational assist for Arturo Vidal to restore the hosts' advantage.

Messi clipped an inch-perfect lofted pass over the Valladolid defence, and Vidal did not disappoint as he volleyed home on the stretch in the 29th minute.

But Messi saved his best for five minutes later as he bent a 30-yard free-kick over the wall and beyond the outstretched left hand of Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

The set-piece was the latest in a long line of dead-ball delights from Messi, and also marked the 50th time he has struck the net with a free-kick in his career.

According to Opta statistics, Messi has now scored 44 free-kicks for Barcelona to add to his six for Argentina at international level.

Here's to many more magical moments from Messi...