After a rocky few weeks, Inter Miami saved a crucial draw on Saturday evening during a challenging visit to Subaru Park to tackle the Philadelphia Union in the Major League football campaign of 2025. One of the goals in the 3-3 draw came from a sensational Lionel Messi-free kick, because the captain made it clear that he is determined by the team from his current malaise in Leiden.
Yes, the Argentinian star had already scored in the recent 4-1 routes of the New York Red Bulls, and also scored in the painful 4-1 defeat against Minnesota United. But this felt different. With Miami with 3-1, Messi stepped up to take a free kick and restore Javier Mascherano team. Minutes later Telasco Segovia equalized to secure the draw.
After a clear error on the edge of the box, Messi hesitated – with the NO 10 shirt – not to take the set piece. With the voltage mounting, Kai Wagner from Philadelphia tried to block a possible chip over the wall. But the left back was not ready for Messi's decision to go low and fast in the direction of the Near Post, with the 19-year-old keeper Andrew Rick Overrod. Despite Rick's efforts to achieve it, Messi drilled it 3-2 and wanted to party from traveling fans.
Messi in MLS 2025
It has been a slightly different season for the World Cup winner. Saturday's goal marked his first successful free kick in this year's MLS, after 10 attempts. Interesting is that he also tried seven in the Concacaf Champions Cup without scoring.
Another remarkable stat: this was his first goal from outside the box this season. His five other goals came from the area and he still has to convert a penalty in 2025.
Through 11 performances – 10 of them starts – Messi now has six goals and two assists in competition match. With much of the season still ahead, the captain will undoubtedly continue to try to punish opponents with the weapon that he has refined at the top for years.
Climbing the Free-Free graph of all time
One striking milestone: Saturday's strike brought Messi's career count on 67 free kick goals. That only places three behind Pelé (70) and 10 shortage of record holder Juninho Pernambucucano (77).
He recently caught up with David Beckham (65) and has now also passed Victor Legrotaglie and Ronaldinho (66). In the meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo remains further back with 64.