Lionel Messi scored a rare direct free-kick goal for Inter Miami during a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on September 27, 2026. The strike brings the 39-year-old forward to 76 career free-kick goals, leaving him just two shy of the all-time record held by Marcelinho Carioca.
The goal came in the 33rd minute of the match, with Messi striking from a difficult right-side angle to find the top corner. While the individual effort was a masterclass in precision, it wasn’t enough to secure points for the Florida-based club. Inter Miami fell 2-1 on the road, marking the first time the Columbus Crew has defeated Miami since August 31, 2022.
The Race to Marcelinho Carioca’s 78 Goals
Messi’s latest strike is more than just a highlight; it’s a significant step toward a historic milestone. With 76 direct free-kick goals, he now sits second on the all-time global list. He trails only Brazil’s Marcelinho Carioca, who recorded 78 such goals between 1988 and 2009. To tie the record, Messi needs two more goals; to claim the top spot alone, he needs three.
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The gap between Messi and the rest of the historical elite is widening. According to data cited by multiple outlets, the current top 15 includes several legendary names, though none are as close to the summit as the Argentine.
| Player | Free-Kick Goals | All-Time Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Marcelinho Carioca | 78 | 1 |
| Lionel Messi | 76 | 2 |
| Juninho Pernambucano | 72 | 5 |
| Siniša Mihajlović | 67 | 7 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 63 | 9 |
| Zico | 62 | 10 |
| Diego Maradona | 61 | 11 |
| Rogério Ceni | 59 | 12 |
| Ronaldinho | 57 | 13 |
| David Beckham | 53 | 15 |
Columbus Crew’s Late Victory and Miami’s Struggles
Despite Messi’s brilliance, the match was defined by a late collapse for Inter Miami. Columbus took an early lead in the 25th minute via a penalty from Joséf Martínez, who reached 131 MLS goals in the process. Messi’s strike from a diagonal position leveled the score, but Miami’s momentum stalled in the second half.
The game turned decisively in the final minutes. After Santiago Morales was sent off, leaving Miami with 10 men, Columbus found the winner in the 99th minute. Substitute Jamal Thiere scored the deciding goal after a rebound from a shot by Bryce Mendes that slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
Consistency at 39: The “Pulga” Effect
The timing of this goal highlights a remarkable streak of form. This was the second match in which Messi scored directly from a free-kick, having performed a similar feat in a 2-2 draw against San Diego just one week prior. At 39, Messi continues to lead the MLS in scoring with 21 goals and 13 assists.
of football, with an unthinkable direct execution he scored a unique goal and is now even closer to the absolute record.
While the individual statistics are staggering, the team result leaves Inter Miami in a precarious position. The club currently sits third in the East with 46 points (12-5-10). In contrast, the Columbus Crew (8-14-5, 29 points) remains within four points of the final playoff spot with seven games remaining in the season.
The Final Hurdle for the All-Time Record
The pursuit of Marcelinho Carioca’s record is now a matter of a few successful strikes. However, the context of that record differs; some reports note that the Brazilian spent most of his career in Brazil, with brief stints in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Europe with Valencia and Ajaccio, whereas Messi’s tally spans the highest levels of European and American football.
With only a few matches left in the regular season, the question remains whether Messi can find those two final free-kicks before the MLS campaign concludes.