Messi tops list of players most frustrated by hitting the woodwork
Photo: Lionel Messi
A shot denied by the goalpost or one that comes back off the crossbar is a major disappointment for any footballer in the world. A review of the history of Europe’s top five leagues shows that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi holds the outright record for hitting the woodwork more times than any other player.
Statistics show that Messi has hit the goalpost or crossbar directly with his shots a record 76 times in matches across Europe’s top five leagues. During his long career in Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1, Messi has been left frustrated 76 times in 301 appearances. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski ranks second on the list with 61 shots hitting the woodwork in 387 appearances.
Harry Kane and Messi’s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo occupy third and fourth place on the list with 48 and 45 woodwork strikes, respectively. The Portuguese superstar hit the crossbar 45 times in 265 appearances. However, Messi remains far ahead of everyone else in this category as well. Had those 76 shots been just slightly more accurate, they could have added to his already remarkable career goal tally.
