Messi scores stunning goal for Inter Miami as international farewell nears

Another moment of magic

On Sunday, September 27, in Columbus, Ohio, Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored a goal against the Columbus Crew, as reported by USA Today. In the 33rd minute, Messi struck a free kick from an almost impossible angle — between the edge of the 18-yard box and the corner flag — beating goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, prompting commentator Taylor Twellman's exclamation "Oh my goodness!" on the Apple TV broadcast. The goal leveled the score at 1-1 after Josef Martínez had put Columbus Crew ahead from a penalty in the 28th minute. According to a OneFootball video recap, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The goal was Messi's fourth in his last four matches for Inter Miami. That run also included his 100th goal for the club, scored on September 16 in a Campeones Cup final win over Mexico's Cruz Azul.

Farewell with Argentina approaching

At the same time, Messi is nearing the end of his international career. According to Guardian writer Jonathan Wilson, the 39-year-old will play his formal farewell match for Argentina against Benin a week from Wednesday. Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi is also retiring from the national team alongside him. Before that farewell game, Argentina will play two friendlies, against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, in which coach Lionel Scaloni will begin shaping a squad without Messi. Scaloni has reportedly hinted he will sign a contract extension keeping him in charge at least through the 2028 Copa América.

Messi has represented Argentina for more than a decade since 2016, when, after missing a penalty in the Copa América final shootout, he briefly announced his international retirement before reversing the decision. Since then, he has won two Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.