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By John Ogunsemore
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has achieved another milestone by equally Brazilian legend, Pele’s record of 70 career free-kick goals.
The 38-year-old scored a stunning free-kick goal in stoppage time to help Inter Miami secure a 4-2 victory over Orlando City in an MLS game on Sunday night.
The 70th direct free-kick strike of Messi’s illustrious career came in the 90th minute, when the Argentine captain curled a precise effort around the wall and into the bottom left corner from a close-range set piece.
The goal sealed the win for the Herons in the Florida Derby and marked Messi’s second of the game, taking his overall career tally to 898 goals—just two shy of the 900 milestone.
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With this achievement, Messi now shares second place on the all-time list of free-kick scorers in men’s football history with Pelé, both on 70 goals.
Retired Brazilian forward, Juninho Pernambucano remains the outright leader with 77.
Messi’s free-kick prowess has long been a hallmark of his game, evolving from his early days at Barcelona.
He continues to defy expectations in MLS, where he has consistently delivered moments of brilliance since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.
