During the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi set a new record after scoring his second goal from a direct free kick. The Argentine player netted the goal during the third-round match against Jordan, contributing to a 3-1 victory. The goal, scored in the 80th minute, marked a significant achievement in the history of the tournament.
With this successful free-kick goal, Messi became only the sixth player in the history of the World Cup—since the tournament began in 1966—to score two goals directly from set pieces. His predecessors in this specific record include Pelé and Rivaldo, both from Brazil, as well as Teodoro Cuibilas of Peru, Bernard Genghini of France, and Didier Becquem of England. The achievement highlights Messi’s consistent accuracy and importance to his team’s performance on the global stage.
Beyond this Cup milestone, Messi has accumulated a substantial tally of free-kick goals throughout his career. The article notes that the player scored a total of 72 goals from free kicks during his time with Inter Milan. This record solidifies his status as one of the most prolific and technically skilled players in the modern era of international football.
Topics: #world #cup #messi
