FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JULY 12: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi Gets Closer to Another All-Time Record

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 9:51 PM ET

Lionel Messi can’t stop scoring in MLS. For the fifth straight game, the Inter Miami star found the net twice — the first on a free-kick goal early in the match against Nashville SC and the other came in a mistake made by the goalkeeper. With the free kick, Messi inches closer to the all-time free-kick record held by former Brazilian midfielder Juninho Pernambucano.

Juninho played eight seasons for Lyon between 2001 and 2009, becoming a key figure during the club’s historic run of seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles. The Brazilian midfielder scored 100 goals in 300 appearances for Olympique Lyonnais — 75 of them in the French top flight, with an incredible 44 coming from free kicks. When adding his time at Vasco and Al-Gharafa, Juninho stands as the undisputed king of the dead ball.

On the other hand, Lionel Messi is arguably one of the best free-kick takers the game has ever seen — and has been for nearly two decades. While it was never his standout skill early on, he’s always been able to deliver when it mattered. During his time at Barcelona, set-piece duties often fell to others like Xavi or Iniesta.

Now, with 69 free-kick goals to his name, Messi is just eight away from matching Juninho Pernambucano’s all-time record of 77.

LIONEL MESSI, YOU ARE NOT REAL pic.twitter.com/maTAJ46UEO
— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 13, 2025

In the second half, Nashville equalized with a goal from Hany Mukhtar. But just 13 minutes later, Messi took advantage of a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper and found the back of the net again. It marked his fifth consecutive MLS match with multiple goals.

No way bro just gave it straight to Messi pic.twitter.com/P1mA7525EE
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) July 13, 2025

Will Lionel Messi Achieve The All-time Record?

As players get older, their characteristics evolve — it’s a natural part of soccer, and some even end up changing positions entirely. Lionel Messi’s mobility and agility aren’t quite what they were three years ago, and as he approaches the final stretch of his career, his biggest threat may now come from set pieces rather than dribbling with the ball at his feet.

That said, Messi still has plenty left in the tank to play one final World Cup with Argentina next year. If he maintains this current form, he could not only help his country on the biggest stage once again — but also close in on, or even surpass, Juninho’s record as the all-time leader in free-kick goals.