Lionel Messi stuns Porto with a classic free-kick for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup as fans erupt on social media
Lionel Messi once again reminded everyone why he's still a magician on the pitch. His 54th-minute free kick helped Inter Miami defeat FC Porto 2-1 in their FIFA Club World Cup group match in Atlanta.
Messi was brought down just outside the box while charging down the centre, setting up a golden chance for his favourite kind of goal. The stadium crowd chanted 'Messi, Messi' as he lined up the kick. What followed was pure magic. A left-footed strike that curled over the wall and straight into the top corner, leaving Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos frozen. It was Messi's 68th free kick goal, and easily one of the finest in recent memory.
MESSI MAGIC ONCE AGAIN ☄️🐐What a free kick from the goat at the FIFA Club World Cup. pic.twitter.com/EiAv4invb8
Fans react with love and disbelief
Social media went into a frenzy the moment the ball hit the net. One fan posted, 'MESSI FREE KICK GOAL AGAINST A EUROPEAN TEAM IN BIG 25 TALK NICEE.' It was a reminder that even on the world stage, Messi can still deliver in the big moments.
LIONEL MESSI FREE KICK GOAL !!!!!!THE GREATEST THERE IS, THE GREATEST THERE WAS AND THE GREATEST THERE WILL EVER BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xfG2r0zPoE
Another supporter simply wrote, 'LIONEL MESSI FREE KICK GOAL !!!!! THE GREATEST THERE IS, THE GREATEST THERE WAS AND THE GREATEST THERE WILL EVER BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!', a passionate tribute that summed up how many fans were feeling after watching yet another Messi masterclass.
Some fans also got emotional thinking about the future. 'It's not an easy free kick but never really had any doubts he'd score that. I'll miss these Messi free kicks when he stops,' one user said, capturing both the joy and the sense that we're watching the final chapters of a legendary career.
It's not an easy free kick but never really had any doubts he'd score that. I'll miss these Messi free kicks when he stops
There were also plenty of laughs. One fan joked, 'Messi looking at goalkeepers setting up their wall to try and stop his free kick' – because really, has a wall ever stopped him before?
After going behind early to Samu Aghehowa's penalty, Inter Miami bounced back with a goal from Telasco Segovia in the 47th minute, before Messi gave them the win. Miami will now face Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium, while Porto will need to beat Al Ahly to stay alive in the tournament. But the biggest takeaway from the night? Messi still owns the big stage.
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