Diego Gomez scored a scorcher in Brighton & Hove Albion's 5-0 thumping of rivals Crystal Palace and he's clearly followed the advice of his former teammate Lionel Messi.

The Seagulls continued their sensational start to the season with an emphatic victory at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. Jaydee Canvot scored an own goal in the fourth minute to get the ball rolling.

Three minutes later, Gomez came up with one of the best goals you'll see all season, taking aim from the halfway line. Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez rushed to prevent the ball from finding the back of the net but failed to do so.

Yasin Ayari added a third just 10 minutes in before Charalampos Kostoulas bagged his side's fourth four minutes into the second half. Jack Hinshelwood made it five in the 84th minute as Fabian Hurzeler's men moved up to second ahead of Arsenal's game against Nottingham Forest.

Brighton goalscorer Diego Gomez took Lionel Messi advice

Gomez scored not just the goal of the game but possibly of the entire Premier League season. He didn't let fly at an empty goal as Benitez had still been in his penalty area when the Paraguayan midfielder fired from 56 yards.

It is the longest range attempt a player has scored from in the English top-flight since Wayne Rooney netted from 58 yards for Everton against West Ham United in November 2017. He showed no fear going for goal and that mentality has been instilled in him partly from his time playing with Messi.

Gomez spent around 18 months as teammate with Messi at Inter Miami in the MLS. During his time playing for David Beckham's co-owned American club, he caught the eye of Brighton scouts.

The 23-year-old highlighted the impact Messi had on him while in Miami, particularly being brave with the ball. He said back in early 2025 (via Sportskeeda):

"He helped me a lot in my development, in my football. I learnt a lot from him, the best player in football. It was a unique experience in my career."

Gomez added: "He always told me to play forward and, when I have the ball, to have no fear."

The Paraguay international left Inter Miami for Brighton in January 2025, arriving at the Amex in a reported £11 million deal. With his goal today, he now sits on 12 goals and four assists in 66 games for the Seagulls.

'I didn't know where to run' - Diego Gomez on his goal

Gomez explained his goal after Brighton's win over Palace and he spoke about the team's "intensity" that is helping them battle at the top of the table. He told Sky Sports:

"When I got the ball I knew the goalkeeper was a little bit ahead. When I scored I didn’t know where to run or what to do. I was very happy with the goal. It's about the brotherhood and the intensity. We keep doing this in training and games."

Gomez is just one of many Brighton players who have been standout performers in the Premier League so far this season. The victory against Palace is their sixth win in a row across competitions and includes a 3-0 win against Arsenal.