Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi is two free-kick goals away from matching Brazilian football legend Marcelinho Carioca’s career record after scoring another spectacular set-piece against Columbus Crew.
Messi scored his 76th career free-kick goal during Inter Miami’s 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer on Sunday, taking another step towards the landmark mark of 78.
The Argentine forward’s latest effort continues an impressive run from dead-ball situations. Messi has scored four free-kick goals in his last seven appearances for Inter Miami, underlining his continued influence from set pieces at the age of 39.
Despite Messi’s goal, Inter Miami were unable to secure a result at Lower.com Field, with Columbus Crew claiming a 2-1 victory.
Messi’s latest milestone adds to a remarkable collection of records accumulated throughout his career. The forward has established himself as one of football’s most prolific free-kick specialists, combining accuracy, technique and variation to regularly beat opposing goalkeepers from outside the penalty area.
His pursuit of Marcelinho’s mark is particularly notable because the Brazilian remains one of the most celebrated dead-ball specialists in football history.
Marcelinho Carioca built much of his reputation during his career in Brazil, particularly during his time with Corinthians, where his ability to score directly from free kicks became one of his defining characteristics.
Messi has now reduced the gap to just two goals.
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A further two direct free-kick goals would see the Inter Miami captain move level with Marcelinho’s reported total of 78, while a third would take him beyond the Brazilian.
The timing of Messi’s pursuit has also attracted attention because his recent free-kick scoring rate has increased considerably. Four goals from set pieces in seven matches demonstrates the continued effectiveness of his technique despite being in the latter stages of his playing career.
For Inter Miami, however, the individual achievement could not prevent a disappointing result against Columbus.
The defeat means the club will now turn its attention to its remaining MLS fixtures as it seeks to strengthen its position in the competition.
For Messi, the focus will be on maintaining his remarkable scoring form and continuing his pursuit of the free-kick record.
With two goals separating him from Marcelinho’s mark, every free kick awarded to Inter Miami in the coming matches is likely to attract additional attention.
Messi’s pursuit also provides another chapter in an extraordinary career that has included numerous individual scoring records and major team honours.
At 39, the Argentine continues to produce moments of technical brilliance, and his latest free-kick has brought him within touching distance of another notable football milestone.
