Hours After Matching David Beckham’s Ballon d’Or Feat, Lionel Messi Equals Inter Miami Owner’s 9YO Record During Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers Win

After a busy domestic period with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi joined back with his Argentinian teammates to play in this month’s international qualifiers. Moments ago, he guided his beloved country to an emphatic win against Ecuador. The win also led him to equal his club’s owner’s nine-year-old record.

Just hours ago, he was nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or by France Football Magazine. This also led him to equal David Beckham’s feat for this prestigious award. Now, he went on to make another one.

Lionel Messi equals David Beckham’s nine-year-old record

After successfully leading his domestic side to wins, it was time for some international action for Messi. He and his national teammates went on to play against a fellow South American side, Ecuador. With the first half ending in a stalemate, a 78th-minute freekick from Messi helped Lionel Scaloni and Co. win the match.

Remarkably, his goal led him to break yet another record. Apparently, with his recent free-kick goal, the latter has reached a record of 65 career free-kick goals. This number was previously clinched by his Miami co-owner, David Beckham, who ended his career with the same number of free-kicks.

Subsequently, Messi has equaled Beckham’s nine-year-old record, as the Golden Balls’ last “Bend it like Beckham” came back in 2012 while he was playing for the LA Galaxy against Vancouver. However, that record is now equaled by Messi, who made the entire Estadio Ms Monumental crowd stand up from their seats.

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Indeed, it is a massive achievement for the Argentinian superstar. Meanwhile, just hours ago, he also matched Beckham’s Ballon d’Or feat.

La Pulga equals Beckham’s Ballon d’Or feat

Breaking records seems to be his specialty, as Messi equaled yet another record set by Beckham. After La Pulga got nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, he became the first active MLS player to be nominated for the prestigious award since Beckham was nominated in 2007, when he joined the LA Galaxy.

Notably, if Messi manages to win the award for the 8th time, he will become the first MLS player to do so. Surely, his ardent fans would want him to set that benchmark as well. But the competition is tough this year. Moreover, one pundit doesn’t want the 36-year-old to win his 8th trophy. Nevertheless, for now, he must celebrate not one, but two of his emphatic records.

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