Messi scores 800th goal of his career with a free-kick against Panama

Lionel Messi set a new record by scoring his 800th career goal on a free kick against Panama.

Argentina faced Panama in the early hours of Friday morning for the first time since winning the World Cup in Qatar 2022.

Coach Lionel Scaloni named the same starting lineup that faced France in the FIFA World Cup final, and captain Lionel Messi was on track to set a new career high.

After a dull first half, Argentina broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when Leandro Paredes found Thiago Almeida, who neatly tucked in the ball.

The ‘Lionel Messi moment’ came late in the game, when he curled in a free-kick to the top right corner.

The PSG star’s strike against Panama marked his 800th career goal, following his 799th against Nantes in Ligue 1.