Watch: Top 5 free kicks of 2016

#3 Lionel Messi vs USA

One of the best free kicks of the year comes from none other than one of the best players of all time.

In this year’s Copa America edition, Argentina were facing USA and were already leading 1-0 as they earned a free kick in an area from where not many people would directly score. Captain Messi placed the ball and took what was a ridiculous kick as the ball swerved into the top right corner from nearly 25 yards out.

There was no long run up, just two or three steps and the ball guided into the top of the net, rendering the wall and the keeper useless. This was one of the only two free kicks nominated for the Puskas Award this year, and for good reason.