Lionel Messi Extends Lead Over Cristiano Ronaldo in All-Time Free-Kick Standings

20.09.26 FT MLS USA

Inter Miami CF

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San Diego FC

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored his 75th career direct free kick during a 2-2 Major League Soccer draw against San Diego, moving within three goals of the all-time world record.

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A milestone strike against San Diego

The landmark moment arrived in the 23rd minute of the Matchday 26 encounter. Awarded a set-piece outside the penalty area, Messi caught the San Diego defense off guard with a deceptive strike that curled cleanly into the net without taking a deflection.

While the match ultimately ended in a 2-2 stalemate for Inter Miami, the goal marked another historic personal milestone for the Argentine captain.

Climbing the all-time free-kick standings

According to a report by Spanish newspaper Sport compiling top-flight direct free-kicks, Messi's latest effort takes his career tally to 75.

The strike moves him into sole possession of second place on the all-time list, breaking a tie with former Brazilian international Jair Rosa Pinto, who accumulated 74 free-kick goals.

Messi now sits just three goals behind Brazilian set-piece specialist Marcelinho Carioca who holds the world record with 78 direct free-kick goals in top-tier competition.

The achievement also extends his lead over an illustrious list of dead-ball icons:

• Roberto Dinamite (73 goals)
• Juninho Pernambucano and Siniša Mihajlović (72 goals each)
• Marcos Assunção (68 goals)
• Jorge Aravena (65 goals)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (64 goals)
• Zico (62 goals)
• Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho (59 goals each)

Outside of Messi, Ronaldo remains the only active footballer featured within the upper bracket of the historical rankings.

Chasing football's final frontier

Even in the latter stages of his career, Messi continues to refine his dead-ball technique. Unlike traditional power-reliant specialists, his method combines deception, elevation and late dip, allowing him to bypass modern defensive walls consistently.

Closing a gap of just three goals represents an entirely realistic target before he concludes his playing career. Overtaking Carioca’s record of 78 would seal one of the few individual scoring milestones that has eluded modern football's leading figures for decades.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

Inter Miami CF

San Diego FC

MLS USA