BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores his team's first goal from a free kick while goal keeper Sergio Rico of Sevilla looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on February 28, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Vladimir Rys Photography/Getty Images)Vladimir Rys Photography/Getty Images

Leo Messi Has Scored 16 Direct Free-Kicks in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo Has 18

Joe GallagherMar 1, 2016

Lionel Messi is closing in another of Cristiano Ronaldo's records, reports Marca.

The Barcelona and Real Madrid superstars have long competed with each other for individual and club honours, and now one of Ronaldo's is looking under threat.

Having recently brought up No. 300, Messi is the greatest scorer in La Liga history, but he has yet to match the Portuguese's efficiency from set pieces.

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The Argentine netted from a free-kick in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sevilla to close the gap to just two direct set pieces. Ronaldo has scored 18 times with the dead ball, while Messi has found the back of the net 16 times.

It's a record Ronaldo might want to hold on to, given that by the admission of his manager, Madrid's title hopes could well be over.

[Marca]