“Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the record books in football — this time rising up the all-time free kick scoring list and drawing ever closer to the legendary Marcelinho Carioca’s world record.
During Inter Miami’s dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Orlando City in the 2026 Major League Soccer season, Messi curled a beautiful free-kick into the net in stoppage time — his 70th career free-kick goal for club and country. That tally now places him among the elite top scorers in football history from direct free kicks.
According to compiled statistics, Messi sits fourth on the all-time free kick list with 70 goals, trailing only Brazilian free-kick masters Marcelinho Carioca (78), Roberto Dinamite (75) and Juninho Pernambucano (72).
The Argentine icon of the game — still thriving at age 38 — has not only matched records held by legends like Pelé but also gained distinction over several other legendary figures in the free-kick domain, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami runs through 2028, giving him plenty of time to close the nine-goal gap on Carioca’s record and potentially claim the all-time free-kick scoring crown — a milestone that would further cement his status as one of the greatest set-piece specialists in the history of the sport.”
During Inter Miami’s dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Orlando City in the 2026 Major League Soccer season, Messi curled a beautiful free-kick into the net in stoppage time — his 70th career free-kick goal for club and country. That tally now places him among the elite top scorers in football history from direct free kicks.
According to compiled statistics, Messi sits fourth on the all-time free kick list with 70 goals, trailing only Brazilian free-kick masters Marcelinho Carioca (78), Roberto Dinamite (75) and Juninho Pernambucano (72).
The Argentine icon of the game — still thriving at age 38 — has not only matched records held by legends like Pelé but also gained distinction over several other legendary figures in the free-kick domain, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami runs through 2028, giving him plenty of time to close the nine-goal gap on Carioca’s record and potentially claim the all-time free-kick scoring crown — a milestone that would further cement his status as one of the greatest set-piece specialists in the history of the sport.”
