Lionel Messi scored his first goal in the Fifa Club World Cup in 2009
Roberta Jackson Sport Reporter for the BBC Published
7 hours ago
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Few things are as inevitable as the ball hitting the back of the net when Lionel Messi sizes up the target before executing a free-kick from 20 yards.
During Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Porto at the Fifa Club World Cup, Messi demonstrated to the world of football—as if we even needed to be reminded—that he is still able to produce special moments. The 37-year-old's free-kick was vintage, trademark, and there was nothing goalkeeper Claudio Ramos could do to save it.
This is, of course, a man who scored an eye-watering 73 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions during the 2011-12 season for Barcelona.
Standing centrally and on the edge of the D, Messi had to make a decision between going over the wall and to the goalkeeper's side, which was the more difficult option. With that strike his 68th goal from direct free-kicks, Messi certainly has no shortage of experience and doesn't lack in anything when it comes to confidence.
Pele (70) and Juninho Pernambucano (77), both of whom spent the majority of their careers with Lyon, have scored more direct free kicks than Messi. "Touched by God, isn't he? Incredible. What a player," former Portugal defender Jose Fonte said on Dazn.
"You go and see this guy if you get the chance to see him live. This is what he does," ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given added on Dazn.
"It's nearly like a penalty for him - he is so precise. He is a genius.
"You call him maestro, magician, the words run out."
Inter Miami is now strongly in contention to advance to the Club World Cup's last 16 thanks to Messi's goal, which came after another stunning goal from Messi's teammate Telasco Segovia. It is the first time the MLS franchise have won a game at the competition and means a draw in their final Group A game against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, who sit top, would send both teams through.
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