Lionel Messi closes in on all-time free-kick record after moving clear of Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi has moved to within four goals of a historic free-kick record after scoring from a set-piece in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with San Diego.

The goal, scored during the 26th round of the MLS season, took Messi’s career total from direct free-kicks to 75. He is now three short of equalling the record and four away from becoming the outright leading scorer in the category.

Inter Miami posted a video of the goal on social media with the caption: “Free kick goal and it had to be HIM 🤩🤷‍♂️” on 20 September 2026.

Messi climbs to second

According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, Messi is now second outright in the historical list after overtaking Brazilian Jair Rosa Pinto, who scored 74 free-kicks.

The record is held by another Brazilian, Marcelinho Carioca, with 78 goals. Messi therefore needs three more to draw level and four to take sole possession of first place.

The figures cover direct free-kick goals scored in first-division matches. Olympic goals and indirect free-kicks are excluded, in line with records used by several football historians and statisticians.

The latest milestone places Messi ahead of several renowned specialists. He has already surpassed Roberto Dinamite, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Juninho Pernambucano and Marcos Assuncao on the list.

He also has a significant advantage over his long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 64 direct free-kicks. Ronaldinho and Diego Maradona are both credited with 59.

Messi’s latest goal is another landmark in an exceptional career, coming as he moves towards the closing phase of his playing days. Despite his age, he continues to add to a collection of records and achievements.

The Argentine now needs only four further free-kick goals to claim another historic individual record. His contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028, leaving him time to reach the mark.