The Inter Miami player’s most recent free kicks are examined by GOAL to see where he stands among the top free-kick takers.
Few players, aside from Lionel Messi, have been able to create a moment of destiny as frequently as he did. In another crucial situation, there he was—the player many consider to be the best of all time—standing over the ball. Messi scored a free kick in the waning seconds of Inter Miami’s first Leagues Cup game to secure victory for his team on his Inter Miami debut, which served as his official entrance to North America.
Another goal that felt fated, another moment of destiny. It appeared to be an impossible dream. When Messi first arrived on American soil, he made an unbelievable play.
Then, after only 16 days, he repeated the action. Similar situation, identical outcome: Messi stands over the ball, chooses his place, and the crowd erupts in jubilation. Messi missed two free kicks in his first four matches while wearing the pink shirt of Inter Miami, both of which came with the game still in doubt after the 85th minute.
Would you expect any less? Well, if you’ve been following Messi throughout his career, probably not. It’s what he does, after all. But where does Messi rank among the best of all-time when it comes to those heroic set-pieces? And, as he adjusts to life in MLS, is there any chance that he can prove himself as the league’s best-ever free-kick taker, even at age 36?
Two magical moments
Even David Beckham was in awe at what he was seeing. The former England player, who is also one of the most recognisable free-kick scorers in the history of the sport, broke down in tears. That sums up Messi’s magic, don’t you think?
In the 95th minute of his debut against Cruz Azul, Messi advanced to the ball with the score tied. He couldn’t possibly bury it, could he? Even for Beckham’s club, it was too Hollywood. It couldn’t have been written better by storytellers.
But Messi breaks the rules of narrative. A few steps and a focused effort later, chaos broke out at DRV PNK Stadium. The eminent Argentine was responsible for Miami’s victory in the game.
Messi hasn’t stopped since in the weeks that have passed. In a 4-0 thumping of Atlanta United, he scored twice in open play to take the lead. In the following round against Orlando City, Inter Miami scored two more goals to defeat their nearby rivals. Then, against FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup round of 16, Messi went off once more, scoring the game’s first goal barely six minutes in.
But his breakthrough came in the 85th minute. Miami was awarded a free kick since they were trailing by one goal and needed to score to win the match. Was there any ambiguity as to what will occur next?…
An expert at work
Without a doubt, goals from free kicks are an exception. There’s a good reason why set-pieces have produced some of the game’s most famous goals. Consider the classic goals scored by Beckham against Greece, Roberto Carlos against France, and Cristiano Ronaldo against Portsmouth, all of which required perfect conditions to be met.
Soccerment estimates that the likelihood of a goal occurring from a straight free-kick is only 6%. Thus, just one of the 17 free-kick efforts actually results in a goal. Messi scoring twice in four games? Almost unbelievable in its absurdity.
Marginal gains
Messi, the greatest to ever do it, isn’t beyond engaging in a little foolhardiness. Shortly after the Argentine’s Dallas game-winning goal, a video of his pregame preparation surfaced on social media. Messi repeatedly pushed the ball over to the left just prior to striking it as the referee issued directions to players in the wall. He repeatedly picked up the ball and carelessly moved it a short distance.
You know, the little things. Messi was able to move the ball into the perfect position for a goal by doing that. And he did strike it.
It’s no coincidence. Messi knew exactly what he was doing. He knew here he wanted the ball and why. Once he got it there, all that was left to do was find the back of the net.
Going for the MLS championship?
Messi’s two free-kick goals, which he scored both in the Leagues Cup, naturally do not count towards his MLS statistics. But based on what we’ve seen, it’s reasonable to say that once he does officially start playing in the Major League Soccer, he’ll be a threat on set-pieces.
Some have already stated that they anticipate him to contend with Sebastian Giovinco for the MLS record. During his four seasons in MLS, the small Italian scored 13 goals from free kicks. He is without a doubt the best player we have seen in that area and may be the league’s most effective attacker overall.
That will be a lot to ask, but Messi can do it. However, there are several notable figures he may pursue even if he doesn’t go for Giovinco.
That will be a lot to ask, but Messi can do it. There are several major names he may knock out of the top five even if he doesn’t pursue Giovinco. Jeff Larentowicz and Javier Morales, two MLS legends with over ten years of combined experience, are just behind Giovinco. And seven more behind them? Messi’s manager, a certain Beckham, is tied with Lucas Zelarayan, the active league leader before he left for Saudi Arabia this summer.
The Goat
Is Messi also the “Greatest Free-Kick Taker of All Time”? He may already be the GOAT. Having scored 64 goals over his illustrious career, he is currently barely outside the top five in terms of total points. His two most recent goals have separated him from Maradona, who ultimately retired with 62 goals.
Beckham, Messi’s manager, is currently only one behind him, and even the England legend would wager that Messi will pass him sooner rather than later for the fifth slot. Victor Legrotaglie, a fellow Argentine who is one ahead of Beckham on 66 and directly in Messi’s sights, is also on 66, as is Messi’s Barcelona coach Ronaldinho.
Pele, who is reported to have scored 70 goals from free kicks, is second and one of the few players who may contend with Messi for the GOAT title. Of course, Mr. Free-Kick himself, Juninho Pernambucano, who is regarded as the genuine master of the art, comes in first.
The Brazilian became a legend of the game by scoring an astounding 77 times from dead-ball situations. Obviously, his career isn’t comparable to Messi’s, but you might choose Juninho to any player who has ever played if you need someone to step up.
So, after everything is said and done, where will Messi stand? We shall see. The Argentine may end up with a few more free-kick goals on his résumé, based on what we’ve seen so far, as he attempts to establish himself as the finest to ever do it.
Maradona’s lessons
It’s hard to imagine, but Messi wasn’t always regarded as one of La Masia’s best free-kick shooters. And it wasn’t until 2009 that he really advanced in the technique of dead-ball striking.
Credit will go to Diego Maradona, who was undoubtedly his teacher. The then-Argentina head coach taught his heir apparent a lesson in February 2009 at Marseille, and that lesson lasted.
“When Diego approached, I saw him coming. He grabbed Leo by the shoulder and said, “Little Leo, little Leo, guy. Let’s try it once more. According to Maradona’s aide Fernando Signorini, it was similar to a teacher and student.
“He added, ‘Put the ball here and listen to me: don’t move your foot away from the ball so quickly because else it will not know what you want. Then, with Messi watching in awe, he struck the ball with his left foot, straight into the angle of the goal.
