Lionel Messi scored another brilliant free-kick for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew, reaching 76 career free-kick goals and moving closer to the top of the historical rankings.
Messi scores another stunning free-kick as historic record moves closer
Lionel Messi has moved another step closer to a historic free-kick record after scoring a brilliant goal for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew.
The Argentine superstar found the net from a direct free-kick during Inter Miami’s MLS trip to Columbus.
It was his second free-kick goal in consecutive league matches.
And according to the historical ranking used by several football statisticians, Messi has now reached:
76 CAREER DIRECT FREE-KICK GOALS
That puts another major record within sight.
Messi scores stunning free-kick against Columbus
Inter Miami fell behind after Columbus opened the scoring from the penalty spot.
But Messi responded only a few minutes later.
The Inter Miami captain stepped up for a free-kick outside the penalty area.
And once again, he produced something special.
Messi curled the ball into the net to bring Inter Miami level at 1-1.
It was another reminder that even late in his career, the Argentine remains one of football’s most dangerous free-kick takers.
Free-kick number 76
The goal against Columbus was particularly important because of the career milestone behind it.
Messi had reached 75 direct free-kick goals after scoring against San Diego FC in Inter Miami’s previous MLS match.
Now he has added another.
His career total has risen to 76.
That means Messi has scored direct free-kicks for:
Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain
Inter Miami
Argentina
throughout an extraordinary career.
Messi closes in on the historic mark
According to the historical ranking cited by SPORT and GOAL, former Brazilian star Marcelinho Carioca sits at the top with:
78 DIRECT FREE-KICK GOALS
Messi now has 76.
That means he needs:
2 more to equal the mark
3 more to move ahead
Another legendary record is now within reach for the Argentine.
However, historical free-kick totals can vary between statistical databases depending on which competitions and types of free-kicks are counted.
Two free-kick goals in two MLS matches
Messi’s latest achievement becomes even more impressive because of what happened one week earlier.
Against San Diego FC, he scored another superb direct free-kick.
That strike brought him to 75.
Now, against Columbus, he has scored from a dead-ball situation again.
Messi has therefore produced direct free-kick goals in consecutive MLS appearances.
At a time when many players become less dangerous from set pieces later in their careers, Messi continues to deliver.
Another goal in the MLS Golden Boot race
The Columbus strike also strengthened Messi’s position among the leading scorers in MLS.
He entered the match with 20 league goals this season.
His latest finish took him to:
21 MLS GOALS IN 2026
Messi had already been leading the Golden Boot race before the trip to Columbus.
His latest goal gives him another important advantage as the regular season moves towards its final stages.
Messi reaches 102 goals for Inter Miami
The goal was also another landmark in Messi’s Inter Miami career.
He reached 100 goals for the club earlier this month.
His free-kick against San Diego then became goal number 101.
And the strike against Columbus takes his total to:
102 GOALS FOR INTER MIAMI
Messi has reached the total across all competitions since arriving in South Florida in 2023.
His impact on the club’s record books continues to grow with almost every appearance.
Inter Miami still suffer defeat
Unfortunately for Messi, his goal was not enough to earn Inter Miami a result.
The visitors had recovered from 1-0 down through their captain’s free-kick.
But Columbus later found another goal to secure a:
2-1 VICTORY
That meant Messi’s individual brilliance came during a disappointing night for the team.
Even so, his free-kick became one of the biggest talking points after the match.
Messi continues rewriting the record books
Messi has spent more than two decades collecting records.
But even now, he continues moving towards new ones.
He has 21 MLS goals this season.
He has reached 102 goals for Inter Miami.
And his latest free-kick has taken his career total to 76 under the historical count currently being widely cited.
With only two more needed to equal the 78-goal mark, another extraordinary Messi milestone is suddenly very close.
After scoring free-kicks in consecutive MLS matches, there is little sign that his set-piece magic is disappearing anytime soon.
