Lionel Messi’s legacy in the United States continues to grow. The Argentine maestro delivered yet another moment of brilliance, this time with a stunning free kick against Nashville SC in MLS play. The goal not only lit up Chase Stadium but also helped the Inter Miami star reach a major milestone in soccer history.
After being fouled on the edge of the box, Messi stepped up and unleashed a clever low strike that curled around the wall and beat goalkeeper Joe Willis at the near post. It was a textbook piece of execution, and one more addition to his already legendary highlight reel from set pieces.
With the goal against Nashville, Messi became the fourth-highest free kick scorer in the history of the sport. The strike marked his 69th career free kick goal, allowing him to surpass Brazilian specialist Marcos Assunção, who retired with 68. It’s yet another testament to Messi’s mastery of the dead ball.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has added six free kick goals to his tally—including a dramatic strike against Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in the club’s short history. His goal against Nashville adds to that growing collection and further cements his impact on the MLS.
Can Messi reach the top?
Messi has already solidified his place among the greatest free kick takers of all time, not just for the quantity of goals but also for their timing and importance. However, reaching the top of the all-time list is still a tall task—and time may be his biggest obstacle.
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Currently, the top three is led entirely by Brazilians: Juninho Pernambucano ranks third with 72 free kick goals, Roberto Dinamite is second with 75, and Marcelinho Carioca holds the top spot with 78. That leaves Messi nine goals shy of history.
His recent record has been uneven: five free kick goals in 2023, just one in 2024, and now three so far in 2025. With the 2026 World Cup approaching and a demanding schedule ahead, it remains to be seen whether Messi can close the gap—or whether he’ll ultimately settle for a very respectable fourth place on the all-time leaderboard.
