Ferran Torres scores Barça's first free-kick goal since Lionel Messi

Ferran Torres' goal against Real Betis in the match played at Montjuic put an end to FC Barcelona's disastrous free-kick streak.

Barça had not scored from a direct free-kick from outside the area since 2 May 2021 when Leo Messi converted a direct free-kick at Mestalla in a match against Valencia. That was two years and two months ago. 

Messi had been the scorer of Barça's last 20 direct free-kick goals, but the Argentinian's departure marked the start of a black streak that Ferran Torres managed to end.  

Since Messi's goal at Mestalla, Barça had attempted 49 shots without scoring, with the likes of Lewandowski, Ferran himself and Raphinha, among others, having tried their luck. 

Ferran Torres, with a beautiful shot, is in a sweet scoring moment. He has averaged a goal every 38 minutes played since the start of the season, scoring 8 goals in the last 9 games played. An impressive run that has allowed him, like yesterday, to earn himself a starting place in the starting line-up. 

Ferran's change

Ferran has managed to reverse a complicated situation as he was in the eye of the hurricane. Aware of how football works and above all what surrounds strictly footballing matters, the player from Foios has stopped the rumours about his future with statements -- he has already reiterated his desire to continue -- and with performances.

That's why he has intensified his work on his bodybuilding and mental preparation. In the hope of being able to demonstrate, on the pitch, his talent. And he is succeeding.

"Ferran is an example. Whether he comes on for 10 minutes, 30 minutes or from the start, he always comes out at one hundred per cent." Xavi praised him on Friday.

His shark mentality, as he shows in on social media, has led him to turn an uncomfortable situation around.