- Barcelona honored Lionel Messi on social media by sharing his iconic 2019 free-kick against Liverpool after he scored another remarkable set-kick for Inter Miami.
- Messi scored his 76th career direct free-kick from a tight angle against the Columbus Crew, though Inter Miami still lost the match 2-1.
- The Argentine star is closing in on history, standing just two goals away from Marcelinho Carioca’s all-time record of 78 direct free-kick goals.
Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi continues to showcase his unmatched ability from set-pieces. The 39-year-old Argentine scored another remarkable free-kick for Inter Miami. In response, Barcelona honored their former star by revisiting a famous free-kick from his Camp Nou era.
The Catalan club shared footage on social media of Messi’s iconic strike against Liverpool in 2019. They accompanied the video with a short message affirming his lifelong proficiency. This digital tribute followed his latest curling effort for Inter Miami against the Columbus Crew.
The Goal Against Columbus Crew
Messi struck from a narrow angle on the right side, close to the byline. While a cross appeared logical, the forward opted to shoot directly with his left boot. The ball traced a precise trajectory, beating the goalkeeper into the far corner. Despite the individual brilliance, Inter Miami ultimately lost the match 2-1.
The moment drew an inevitable parallel to past exploits. On May 1, 2019, Messi scored a long-range set-piece against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. That strike left goalkeeper Alisson helpless and became a defining moment of that European campaign.
What drove Barcelona to share the tribute video for Messi?
Barcelona shared the 2019 archive footage to celebrate Messi scoring his 76th career direct free-kick. The strike against Columbus Crew prompted the Spanish club to highlight his enduring dead-ball accuracy on social media.
Chasing the All-Time Record
Messi’s latest goal carries significant statistical weight. He now sits on 76 official direct free-kick goals across spells with Barcelona, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami. He stands just two goals short of the 78-goal total attributed to Brazilian set-piece specialist Marcelinho Carioca. The official match tally will be updated when Inter Miami faces Atlanta United on October 4, 2026.