Lasse Schone scored a stunning free-kick during Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax this week.

During a historic victory for the Amsterdam-based side, he whipped home a glorious strike from the left wing, which flew over Thibaut Courtois and secured qualification for the quarter-finals.

It will go down as one of the finest Champions League goals of the season and fan footage makes his curled effort look even better than before.

Not only that, but his stunning strike has also drawn a number of comparisons to none other than Lionel Messi, who scored a similar free-kick in 2012.

Supporters on Twitter quickly noticed the similarities and what makes the situation all the more uncanny is that both goals were scored against Courtois.

Schone's stunning free-kick

The Belgian has come in for plenty of criticism in recent weeks and Gary Lineker couldn't help making the joke that he wasn't tall enough to save Schone's strike this week.

But Messi used a little more cunning with his particular effort, going for goal while Courtois was still organising the Atletico Madrid wall beside his post.

However, what made the effort so impressive was the fact it was an almost 'impossible angle' for a left-footed player, a disadvantage that Schone didn't have to deal with.

Messi's stunner in 2012

The ball was narrowly curling away from the goal and wide, requiring Messi to judge the distance to a remarkable degree of accuracy.

It came during a 2-1 away win for Barcelona and video clips of the free-kick continue to circulate, particularly the angle which shows the remarkable trajectory of the ball.

Courtois has a poor record against Messi, a fact that was reiterated last season as Barcelona knocked out Chelsea, but there was little he could do in this instance.

Take a look at the video down below: 

Is it better than Schone's goal? We'll let you decide.

Schone was shooting from further out, but Messi had the handicap of his left foot, so we'll call it a draw for the moment.

Perhaps Courtois is the man best-placed to decide between the two having picked both of them out of his net and he must be ruing his luck at this point.

Of course, Messi will be benefitting from the endless conveyor belt of talent at the Amsterdam Arena next season, even if Schone isn't the man in question.  

Frankie De Jong signed for the Blaugrana in January and before arriving in the summer, will be hoping to push Ajax as far as possible in the Champions League.

He'll be hoping to come as close to Messi's brilliance as possible and perhaps he could start by asking Schone for some free-kick tips in training.

Who did it better - Schone or Messi? Have your say in the comments section below.