Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Lionel Messi took his career tally to 930 goals on Sunday night with a trademark free kick, but Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by San Diego FC at Chase Stadium, extending their frustrating run of consecutive MLS draws to four. The Argentine's 24th-minute strike, his 20th league goal of the 2026 season and the 75th direct free kick of his career, also marked his 101st competitive goal for Inter Miami, coming just four days after he reached his century for the club in a Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul. At 39 years old, Messi continues to rewrite the record books with a consistency that defies the passage of time.
The goal carried added significance beyond the match itself. Messi now sits just 49 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time career record of 979. Ronaldo, who reached 930 goals in 1,272 appearances at the age of 40 years and 58 days, has long been regarded as the undisputed holder of the record. But Messi's relentless scoring pace, combined with his remarkable durability, has placed that record under genuine threat for the first time in years. The Portuguese forward, now in the twilight of his career, faces the prospect of seeing his most cherished individual milestone eclipsed by his greatest rival.
The match began badly for the hosts. In the 12th minute, San Diego's Anders Dreyer latched onto a through ball from Jeppe Tverskov and calmly chipped Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to give the visitors an early lead. The goal exposed the defensive frailties that have plagued Inter Miami in recent weeks. But Messi, as he has done so many times before, provided the response. Twelve minutes later, he was fouled just outside the penalty area on the right side. The free kick was within his range, and everyone inside the stadium knew what was coming. Messi curled a left-footed effort over the wall, the ball striking the post before crossing the line beyond San Diego goalkeeper CJ dos Santos.
The goal was more than just an equaliser. It was the 75th direct free kick of Messi's professional career, moving him to within three of the all-time record held by Brazilian legend Marcelinho Carioca, who is credited with 78. Messi has already surpassed several iconic free-kick specialists, including Juninho Pernambucano, Siniša Mihajlović, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zico. With eight regular-season games remaining for Inter Miami and Argentina fixtures on the horizon, Messi has a genuine opportunity to claim the record outright before the year is out.
Inter Miami completed the turnaround in the 74th minute when Luis Suárez, set up by Rodrigo De Paul, found the net to make it 2-1. It appeared that Messi's brilliance and Suárez's clinical finish would be enough to secure all three points. But San Diego refused to settle for defeat. Eight minutes later, Dreyer scored his second goal of the night, capitalising on another defensive lapse to restore parity and earn a point for the visitors. The equaliser left Inter Miami's players and coaching staff frustrated, none more so than new manager Kily Gonzalez. "We can't commit these defensive horrors, they come at a high cost," Gonzalez said after the match. "That final situation shouldn't have happened. It's surreal to be in a position to win the game, yet nearly lose it. We only avoided defeat because our goalkeeper saved us."
The draw leaves Inter Miami third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points from 26 matches, a record of 12 wins, four defeats and 10 draws. They trail league leaders Nashville SC by 11 points, and with eight games remaining, the gap is becoming increasingly difficult to close. Gonzalez, who took charge only days before the match, acknowledged that the team's recent success in the Campeones Cup may have had an unconscious effect on the players. "I think the Campeones Cup might have had an unconscious effect, especially in the first half, leading to a bit of complacency," he admitted.
For Messi, the night was another milestone in a career that seems to produce them on a weekly basis. The goal was his eighth free kick since arriving in MLS in 2023, and it extended his lead at the top of the Golden Boot standings. With 20 goals and 13 assists in 23 league appearances, he paces the league in both categories, boasting a league-best 33 goal contributions. He is now the second player in MLS history to score 20 or more goals in three consecutive seasons, joining LAFC's Denis Bouanga in that exclusive club. The statistics are staggering, but they only tell part of the story. Messi's influence on Inter Miami transcends numbers. He has transformed the club from a mid-table outfit into a defending MLS Cup champion and a genuine contender for major honours.
His latest milestone, the 930th goal of his career, also moved him closer to Ronaldo's record. The gap between the two legends now stands at 49 goals, with Ronaldo on 979 and Messi on 930. The race to 1,000 career goals, once dismissed as a fantasy, is now a realistic target for both players, and the footballing world is watching with bated breath. Ronaldo, who has built his career on defying age and expectation, now faces the uncomfortable reality that his rival may outlast him in the one record he has held most dear. The next few months will determine whether Messi can sustain his scoring rate and whether Ronaldo can respond with goals of his own to protect his legacy. For now, the record is still Ronaldo's. But the danger is real, and it is growing with every Messi goal.
Inter Miami now turn their attention to a crucial away fixture against the Columbus Crew next Sunday. They will be desperate to end their drawing streak and close the gap at the top of the table. For Messi, the focus will remain on adding to his tally and chasing the records that still lie within reach. At 39, he is playing with the joy and freedom of a man who has nothing left to prove, yet continues to prove everything. The 930th goal was another chapter in a story that shows no sign of reaching its final page. The free-kick record is within touching distance. The century of goals for Inter Miami has been achieved. Ronaldo's all-time record is under threat. And the pursuit of a second MLS Cup is very much alive.
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