Lionel Messi scored twice from direct free-kicks during Inter Miami's 7-1 win over CF Montréal, taking another step towards football’s record for free-kick goals.
The Argentine scored four goals in total, his first four-goal haul since joining Major League Soccer, as Inter Miami recorded their biggest win and ended their winless run. Two of his four goals came from set pieces, adding to Messi’s impressive record from free kicks in recent years.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 40th minute, curling a free-kick that took a deflection off a Montréal defender before beating goalkeeper Thomas Gillier at his near post. He added a second goal from open play in the 52nd minute, driving past several defenders before calmly beating Gillier.
The Argentine then completed his hat-trick with a chip over the goalkeeper. His fourth goal, deep into stoppage time, was another direct free-kick, curled around the wall and into the corner.
Casemiro, who scored his first goal for the club to open the scoring, said afterwards that moments like these were why people should “enjoy” watching Messi.
Where Lionel Messi's Free-Kick Tally Now Ranks Among Football's All-Time Leaders
Free-kick goals are one of the few individual records that depend almost entirely on a player’s own ability. Messi has spent the past two years moving up the list, closing in on a record that once looked out of reach.
His two free kicks against Montréal took his career tally from 72 to 74. Brazilian forward Marcelinho Carioca holds the outright record with 78 direct free-kick goals, scored mainly for Corinthians between 1988 and 2009.
Though some rankings place other Brazilian specialists near him in the high 70s, depending on which competitions are counted.
Saturday’s brace takes Messi’s total up by two, leaving him just a few goals behind the record. Messi is now on the same level as another Brazilian, Jair Rosa Pinto, in second place on the all-time list.
Roberto Dinamite sits just behind on 73, with Juninho Pernambucano, cited by some other rankings as the record holder on a different count of 77, on 72 by this measure. The difference comes down to which matches are included.
Some databases count only official first-team games, while others also include friendlies or regional state championships, which can push certain players’ totals higher.
Either way, Messi is now within four to six goals of the record, putting him closer to the top than any active player has been in nearly two decades.
What The Win Means For Inter Miami's MLS Conference And Golden Boot Race
Beyond the individual milestone, the result was also important for Inter Miami’s position in Major League Soccer. The win ended a run of matches without a victory and moved the club back into the top two of the Eastern Conference, behind leaders Nashville SC.
Messi’s four goals also moved him to the top of the league’s scoring charts, ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa. At 39, leading the Golden Boot race at this stage of the season is another sign that he remains one of the league’s most productive forwards.
CF Montréal, who introduced Messi's former Barcelona teammate Alexis Sánchez from the bench in the second half, remains second-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference.
How Many More Free-Kicks Messi Needs To Break Marcelinho's All-Time Record
Messi has averaged around three free-kick goals per season in recent years. If he maintains that rate, it could take several seasons to catch the record, although his record suggests he can still produce numbers that defy expectations.
How many more chances Messi gets will depend largely on his playing time. Inter Miami’s push for a strong finish to the MLS season and any run they make in the playoffs will determine how many free kicks he has the opportunity to score with before the year ends.
Marcelinho Carioca has held the record since retiring in 2009, and Messi’s recent form has brought him closer to it than any player in nearly two decades.
