Lionel Messi moved within two goals of the all-time free-kick scoring record after curling home a spectacular set-piece for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew.
The 39-year-old Argentine found the net in the 33rd minute, levelling the score after Columbus had taken an early lead through Josef MartÃnez. Standing over a free-kick near the right touchline, Messi whipped the ball over the wall and into the far top corner, leaving goalkeeper Patrick Schulte with no chance.
The strike took Messi’s career tally of direct free-kick goals in official matches for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina to 76, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Despite the equaliser, Inter Miami could not complete the comeback and fell to a 2-1 defeat after Columbus scored a stoppage-time winner.
Messi’s latest free-kick leaves him two behind Brazilian Marcelinho Carioca, who is widely credited with 78 such goals. Historical records vary depending on the criteria used by different statisticians, with some lists placing Juninho Pernambucano near the top with 77.
The goal extended Messi’s strong run from set pieces this year and lifted his overall career tally above 931.
