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Lionel Messi’s goalkeeper commits embarrassing blunder
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lionel Messi’s goalkeeper commits embarrassing blunder

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao  |  Last updated Aug 16, 2026 9:08 AM ET
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Lionel Messi probably missed Emiliano Martínez more than ever Saturday as he watched his Inter Miami goalkeeper commit an unforgivable blunder.

Inter Miami trailed Nashville SC 3-1 midway through the second half at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn. The home team didn’t let a sizable lead stop them from piling on more goals.

The team’s offensive aggression paid off in the 63rd minute, when keeper Brian Schwake punted the ball toward a streaking Hany Mukhtar past the midfield line. Miami keeper Rocco Ríos Novo overran the leading pass and stumbled trying to get back, allowing Mukhtar to score a playground goal off the mistake.

Somewhere halfway across the world, Manuel Neuer probably winced without understanding why. Ríos Novo just showed the world how not to perform as a sweeper-keeper.

Messi didn’t help himself, either. He missed a penalty kick in the first half that would have tied the game 1-1.

La Pulga was already losing his temper just before Ríos Novo’s error. He was seen disrespecting the match referee after receiving a yellow card.

One can only imagine the dour mood inside the Inter Miami locker room after the 4-1 loss.

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