Federico Valverde joins Lionel Messi in elite La Liga long-range scoring list after stunning strike against Valencia

Federico Valverde's powerful strike against Valencia added another entry to his growing collection of long-range goals, placing the Real Madrid midfielder third behind Lionel Messi and Iago Aspas for goals scored from outside the penalty area since his La Liga debut. The Uruguay international opened the scoring in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Mestalla, extending a record that puts him among the competition's most prolific long-range finishers of the 21st century.Valverde joins Messi and Aspas among La Liga's leading long-range scorersValverde struck in the 28th minute against Valencia, finding the net with a thunderous effort from distance. According to Spanish statistics account MisterChip, 16 of his 26 La Liga goals have come from outside the penalty area, meaning 62 per cent of his league goals have been scored from range.That places him fifth among the most efficient long-range scorers of the 21st century, considering players with at least 20 La Liga goals. Assuncao leads that particular ranking, having scored 19 of his 24 goals from outside the box, a rate of 79 per cent. Roberto Carlos follows with 19 of 27, or 70 per cent, while Xena and Tiko are level on 65 per cent, having each scored 13 of their 20 goals from distance.Valverde's position is even more notable when the comparison is restricted to goals scored since his top-flight debut in September 2017. Only two players have found the net from outside the box more often during that period: Barcelona great Messi, with 34, and Iago Aspas, with 20. Valverde's 16 place him third on that list.Valverde's strike sets Real Madrid on course for another victoryThe midfielder's goal gave Real Madrid the lead against Valencia, with Arda Güler doubling the advantage in the 36th minute. Kylian Mbappé completed the 3-0 victory in the 75th minute, extending Madrid's winning run across all competitions to eight matches.Valencia's afternoon ended on a further setback when captain José Gayà received a straight red card in the 79th minute for his challenge on MbappéFor Valverde, the goal provided another reminder of a scoring quality that has become an increasingly important part of his game. His 16 long-range strikes since September 2017 leave him behind only Messi and Aspas in that period, while his overall conversion rate places him among the most effective marksmen from distance in La Liga's modern era.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.