Lionel Messi is one of the biggest players who has had a career every footballer dreams of having. Throughout his illustrious career, the 36-year-old has scored hundreds of goals, making and breaking many records along the way. The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner made a move to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. The club is co-owned by former Real Madrid and Manchester United player David Beckham.
Lionel Messi has now matched David Beckham’s free-kick record after his game against Ecuador on 8 September. He recently broke the record for most assists in football history, and now he shares a spot with Beckham on the list of most direct free-kick goals scored.
Lionel Messi equals David Beckham’s record
David Beckham used to be one of the best midfielders in the world and the player was known for his freekicks. He had the ability to curl the ball to his will which helped him score 65 freekicks in his career getting him the 5th spot in the list of most freekick goals scored by a player. Lionel Messi has now matched that record and shares the spotlight with his current club owner.
Most direct free-kick goals:
77 — Juninho
70 — Pelé
66 — Legtotaglie
66 — Ronaldinho
65 — Beckham
𝟲𝟱 — Leo Messi pic.twitter.com/CDL9PGlpwz— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) September 8, 2023
The two players are equal for now, but Messi will soon surpass him, as the player will remain in the game for a few more years. He is now just one freekick away from matching Ronaldinho’s and Legtotaglie’s record who have scored 66 freekicks in their career. If Messi does that he will be in the top 3 just behind Brazilian legend Pele and Juninho.
Lionel Messi scores match-winner vs Ecuador
Argentina faced Ecuador in the World Cup Qualifiers on 8 September 2023. Argentina dominated most of the match enjoying 71% of the total possession they also took 13 shots at goal out of which one found the back of the net. The new Chelsea player Moises Caicedo gave away a free-kick in the 76th minute after committing a foul on striker Lautaro Martinez.
WHAT A FREEKICK BY MESSI pic.twitter.com/wKUyWa7rfi
— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) September 8, 2023
Messi stepped up and did what he does best. The player curled the ball straight into the top right corner leaving the Ecuadorian keeper bewildered. It was due to this goal that Argentina managed to win the match. Lionel Messi now has 104 international goals and 65 direct free-kick goals to his name. It is nice to see the G.O.A.T. dominating the game at the age of 36 and he will keep doing so till the very end.
