WATCH: Lionel Messi’s incredible free kick for Inter Miami inches toward goal!

Real Salt Lake's defender, Justen Glad, made a crucial header to deny Lionel Messi his first goal of the 2024 season for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi Almost Scored An Insane Free Kick
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad executed flawless positioning, using a smooth gliding header to clear the ball off the line. This last-minute intervention prevented Messi from securing his inaugural goal of the 2024 season, thereby maintaining his team’s competitive edge.

Throughout his career, the Argentine sensation has been renowned for his trademark direct free kicks. Notably, during his debut for the Herons in July 2023, Messi showcased his mastery by clinching victory with a spectacular shot from a dead ball in stoppage time for Inter Miami.

Messi and the Herons are gearing up to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday evening in their second MLS season game.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini

Forwarder

ArgentinaArgentina

Age: 38

170 cm

72 kg

Season 2025
Played 1 2 Missed
Minutes 90 90.0 Avg
Goals 0 0.0 Avg
Assist 2 2.0 Avg
Attempt 11 11.0 Avg
Passes 51 51.083.0% AvgSucc
Yellow 1 1.0 Avg
Red 0 0.0 Avg

This season he played in total once for 90 minutes for Major League Soccer.

Lionel Messi didn’t score any goal for Inter Miami. He procured one assist. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 1st in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami won 2-0 against Real Salt Lake.

Inter Miami performance and stats

Inter Miami

Manager: Javier Mascherano
Rank 3rd
Win 2
Draw 1
Loss 0
Goals 7-3
Diff 4

Inter Miami is currently 1st in the Major League Soccer with 3 points.

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 2 goals and conceding 0.​