Former Barcelona captain and club legend Lionel Messi has continued his impressive record of producing spectacular goals from free-kicks.
The 39-year-old Argentine scored another stunning set-piece for Inter Miami, prompting Barcelona to honour their former star by revisiting one of his memorable free-kicks during his time at Camp Nou.
The Catalan club shared a video on X of Messi’s famous free-kick against Liverpool in 2019, alongside the message: “He’s been doing it all his life.”
The tribute followed Messi’s latest free-kick against Columbus Crew for Inter Miami. The Argentine struck from an unlikely position on the right side, close to the byline.
Although a cross appeared to be the more obvious choice, Messi opted to shoot directly with his left foot. His effort followed a precise trajectory, beating the goalkeeper before finding the far corner.
The goal brought Inter Miami level temporarily, but Columbus Crew eventually secured a 2-1 victory. The result was overshadowed by yet another trademark Messi free-kick.
An inevitable reminder
Barcelona took the opportunity to recall one of Messi’s most memorable set-pieces in the club’s colours.
The goal came on May 1, 2019, during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.
With Barcelona ahead 2-0, Messi won a free-kick from a considerable distance that appeared beyond the range of most players. However, he calmly set himself up before curling the ball into the top corner, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson with no chance.
The strike made it 3-0 and became one of the standout goals of Barcelona’s Champions League campaign that season.
More than seven years later, Barcelona used an image of that effort to accompany Messi’s latest free-kick in the United States.
Two away from the record
Messi’s goal against Columbus Crew also carried statistical significance, taking his tally of direct free-kick goals in official matches to 76 across his spells with Barcelona, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
He is now two goals short of the 78-goal total attributed to Brazilian set-piece specialist Marcelinho Carioca.
Marcelinho had a short spell with Valencia in 1997 after joining from Corinthians and was widely recognised for his free-kick ability.
Messi has already moved beyond several of football’s renowned dead-ball specialists and is now close to the record.
For now, he continues to deliver the kind of seemingly impossible free-kicks that Barcelona’s tribute sought to highlight.