Video: Lionel Messi scores 76th career free kick goal for Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew and has record in sight

Lionel Messi nears another record as he now boasts 76 career free kick goals thanks to an absolute screamer for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew in MLS play.

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By Martín O’donnell

Updated on September 27, 2026 08:17PM EDT

**© Andy Lyons/Getty Images**Lionel Messi celebrates his 76th career free kick goal.

Lionel Messi is inevitable. At 39, the Argentine superstar delivered his 76th career free kick goal to bring Inter Miami level against Columbus Crew in the 2026 MLS regular season.

The Herons were trailing 1-0 in the first half following a penalty scored by Josef Martinez, who was one of Messi’s first teammates in Miami back in 2023. Only six minutes after the Crew took the lead, Messi made sure to make things level.

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Messi now needs just two more free kick goals to tie the all-time record. Just watch this absolute beauty of yet another piece of art by Leo:

Who has more career free kick goals than Lionel Messi?

Messi is chasing the record set by former Brazilian soccer player Marcelinho Carioca, who recorded 78 free kick goals throughout his career. But the Argentine star knows a thing or two about surpassing Brazilian players on this list.

Messi is already second behind Marcelinho Carioca, having overtaken the likes of Jair Rosa Pinto, Roberto Dinamite, and Juninho Pernambucano recently.

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Marcelinho Carioca – 78 career free kick goals
Lionel Messi – 76
Jair Rosa Pinto – 74
Roberto Dinamite – 73
Juninho Pernambucano – 72

Key takeaways

Lionel Messi scored his 76th career free kick against Columbus Crew in 2026.
Just two goals separate the Argentine superstar from tying the all-time record.
78 free kick goals is the all-time record held by Marcelinho Carioca.

Martín O’Donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.