Lionel Messi has become something of a free-kick specialist during his time at Barcelona.

In his 13 years as a senior player at the club, the Argentina international has found the back of the net a staggering 27 times from dead-ball situations.

He currently holds the record for most free-kicks scored for Barcelona, having surpassed Ronald Koeman's previous record of 26 in Febuary.

It was against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey in January that Messi equalled Koeman's haul, finding the bottom-right corner from 20 yards out.

Upon equalling Koeman's record, Messi received a message from the man once dubbed the 'King of free-kicks' at the Camp Nou.

Koeman wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations on scoring your 26th free kick goal @FCBarcelona tonight, Leo #Messi! One to go to break another record."

One month later Messi surpassed Koeman to claim the free-kick record at Barcelona, once again against Bilbao.

From a tight angle, the Argentine rifled a fierce strike at goal that the goalkeeper should have saved but didn't.

Messi always fancies himself from free-kicks and there was one time against Atletico Madrid when he tried to fool everyone with the cheekiest of attempts.

Back in 2011, during a 2-1 win over Atletico, Messi complained to the referee about the wall being too close but caught everyone by surprise by shooting anyway, hitting the post.

The referee had blown his whistle, but because he was busy dealing with the wall per Messi's request, he showed the forward a yellow card. In response, Messi just laughed.

MESSI'S NAUGHTY FREE-KICK VS ATLETICO

How audacious. It's one thing to take a free-kick while the other team isn't paying attention, but tricking the referee so he's distracted as well? That takes some nerve.

Messi went on to score a late winner anyway, but the game might have panned out differently had the Argentine waited for the referee.