Lionel Messi is denied a career-first in Inter Miami's defeat

   

There is very little left for Lionel Messi to accomplish on a football pitch. 

The Argentine has racked up a staggering 12 league titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, lifted the Champions League four times and led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.

Only last month, Messi received his eight Ballon d'Or, the latest record in an extraordinary career.

But there is a curious gap in the 36-year-old's stellar resume, as Messi has never scored directly from a corner in his professional career.

The Argentine came agonisingly close to address the gap on his CV on Monday night, during Inter Miami's 1-0 loss in a friendly against FC Dallas.

Lionel Messi almost scored directly from a corner as Inter Miami lost to FC Dallas 1-0

Lionel Messi almost scored directly from a corner as Inter Miami lost to FC Dallas 1-0

Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paas (left) produced a superb save to deny Messi (not in the shot) and then prevented Sergio Busquets from tapping home the rebound

Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paas (left) produced a superb save to deny Messi (not in the shot) and then prevented Sergio Busquets from tapping home the rebound