Messi Free Kick Goal Download

Lionel Messi, the World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, came off the bench to score one of his trademark free kicks in second-half stoppage time as Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 in a Leagues Cup opener for both teams.

Even before the goal, every touch from Messi was met with intense anticipation, and when he turned on a dime in the 67th minute, leaving Cruz Azul defenders in the dust, the roar from the crowd would have drowned out any small jet departing from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport next door.

Download File 🔥 https://urluso.com/2y5IHs 🔥

Of course, the doubters will point out that Messi showed little interest in tracking back during the game and that Cruz Azul scored their tying goal through Mexico International Uriel Antuna when Messi was on the pitch, but none of that mattered.

One of Ronaldo's 61 free kick goals was from an indirect free kick inside the box (where the free kick was rolled to Ronaldo to score) - if the lay-off is short enough it is considered by Opta as a free kick goal.

In terms of the figures, these opposing journeys have merged almost in the same place, with Ronaldo currently on 61 career free kick goals and Messi now on 65 all time free kick goals.

There is some rationale behind Messi's relatively late transformation: he wasn't the undisputed free kick taker at Barcelona during his earlier years at the club, playing second-fiddle to Ronaldinho and Xavi until it became clear he was the greater threat.

Similarly, Ronaldo's decline in free kick goals can be partly explained by the fact he takes considerably fewer free kicks now than he used to earlier in his career. This reduction in free kick attempts can be attributed to Ronaldo having played with other free kick specialists in recent years such as Bale, Modric, Pjanic and Dybala - as well as Ronaldo often preferring to take up a position in the box where in previous years he might have gone for a direct attempt on goal.

If we look at how often Messi and Ronaldo score free kicks, it's Messi that has the edge here. Messi scores a free kick every 16.1 games, whereas Ronaldo scores a free kick every 19.7 games.

After surpassing Ronaldo's career total, the momentum is seemingly with Messi, and it seems increasingly likely that he will finish with the greater number of free kick goals and ultimately win the battle of the free kick specialists.

Cristiano Ronaldo on the other hand utilises the knuckleball technique, smashing the ball with his laces to avoid any spin, causing it to swerve and dip unpredictably towards the goal. This method is a lot more effective from distance than a ball struck with spin, as it gives the goalkeeper less time to adjust and the ball more time to snake through the air.

Before the 2014/15 season, Messi took 136 shots from direct free kicks in 10 La Liga seasons - an average of just 14 per season. Since then however, he has taken 320 shots at goal from free kicks, averaging 29 attempts per season.

In contrast, Ronaldo hit 382 free kick shots in 11 seasons before 2014/15 in the league (not including his season at Sporting) - an average of 35 per season. But since then he's taken 150 shots at goal from free kicks, averaging 13 attempts per season. This is 170 fewer free kick shots than Messi has attempted in the same period.

Despite this, Messi boasts a considerably better success rate, scoring 9.4% of his free kick shots in the league since 2014/15, with Ronaldo scoring 4.0% of his free kick attempts in the league since 2014/15.

Overall, in all league seasons played (excluding Ronaldo's season at Sporting), Messi has converted 9.0% of his free kick shots, whereas Ronaldo has converted 6.6% of his free kick shots.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, takes a free kick as FC Dallas midfielder Facundo Quignon (5) and defender Nkosi Tafari (17) watch during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Messi scored on another mesmerizing free kick in his third consecutive two-goal game for Inter Miami, a tying tally that led to a victory over FC Dallas on penalty kicks in a Leagues Cup elimination game Sunday night.

The 85th-minute stunner sealed a 4-4 comeback draw in their Round of 16 clash, forcing penalty kicks at Toyota Stadium. Messi then scored when spot-kicks got underway, helping the Herons win 5-3 in the shootout.

Messi's latest golazo ensured he's scored a brace in three straight matches for Inter Miami and gives him seven goals in the tournament, assuming Leagues Cup Golden Boot honors. He also scored in the 6th minute vs. FC Dallas to start the back-and-forth thriller, one-timing home a low cross from former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba.

Lionel Messi didn't take long to show MLS and Inter Miami what he is all about. Debuting for his new club in the Leagues Cup, the World Cup winner scored a 94th-minute free kick golazo to lift his side to a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. Messi came on early in the second half and was ready from the very first second, showing his nifty touch, incredible ball control and unmatchable vision. He came in with his team leading 1-0 before they conceded shortly after. But it always felt like a goal was coming from either team as chances were easy to come across in a game where defending appeared to be optional at times with poor pressure and even worse defensive shape.

Then, with the clock ticking in extra time, Messi was fouled by two defenders at once at the top of the box. Just like he's done so many times before, he told the goalkeeper to pick the ball out of the net by producing this lovely effort:

The rest is history, Messi took the free-kick, scored a great goal and took the game to penalty kicks where he even scored his team's first penalty kick and paved the way for the team owned byDavid Beckham to get their ticket to the top eight teams in the competition.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) makes a free kick to score a goal during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-1. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his goal late in the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-1. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The first Inter Miami goal of the Messi era was scored by Robert Taylor, who took a long cross from Robbie Robinson, moved into the box and sent a low drive off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead late in the first half.

But after earning the foul himself about seven yards beyond the penalty area, Messi delivered an excellent, left-footed free kick that beat the defensive wall and goalkeeper Andres Gudino to the top left corner.

Messi saved his best for last, however, as a second free kick in five minutes went up and over a diving attempt from goalkeeper Maarten Paes to tie the game at 4-4. It was Messi's second goal of the game, and already the second time in Leagues Cup play he has tallied free kick goals in the 85th minute or later. 17dc91bb1f