Messi’s Penalty Woes Deepen: Third Consecutive Miss Equals Career Worst as Inter Miami Fall to Nashville

Lionel Messi’s return to Major League Soccer action proved disappointing as he failed to convert a penalty during Inter Miami’s 4-1 defeat to Nashville SC on Saturday. The miss marks his third consecutive failed spot-kick across club and international duty, matching the longest penalty drought of his professional career.

Nashville took an early lead in the 17th minute when Andy Najar finished a precise cross from Elias Saad. Inter Miami responded aggressively, and in the 22nd minute, a lofted pass from Casemiro found Luis Suárez, who controlled the ball before being fouled by Jeisson Palacios inside the area.

Messi stepped up with his signature stutter-step run-up, attempting to wrong-foot goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Although Schwake committed early to his right, he managed to extend his legs and make the save. Sergio Reguilón converted the rebound, but the goal was correctly disallowed for encroachment.

The failure extends Messi’s current slump to three straight misses from 12 yards. It also represents his second missed penalty in an Inter Miami shirt, the first coming in a 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC in September 2025.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF takes a misses the penalty against Nashville SC. (Carly Mackler/Getty Images)

The recent struggles highlight a rare lapse in execution for the Argentine icon. During the 2026 World Cup, Messi dragged a penalty wide against Austria in the group stage and saw another attempt saved by Mostafa Shobeir in the round of 16 against Egypt, completing the trio of misses.

Despite the current slump, Messi remains among the most reliable penalty takers in modern football history. Across 149 career attempts for club and country, he has converted 114, missing 35, for a 76.5% success rate.

When Did Messi Last Miss Three Consecutive Penalties?

As the designated penalty taker for both Inter Miami and Argentina, Messi shoulders the responsibility whenever a spot-kick is awarded. While this three-match drought is unusual, it is not without precedent.

The only other occasion Messi missed three consecutive penalties came in 2014 while featuring for FC Barcelona and Argentina. That sequence began in April against Real Betis, where Antonio Adán saved a late effort. In September, he fired wide in a 5-0 victory over Levante UD, and in October, Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson stopped his attempt during a friendly.

Messi ended that 2014 drought in November during a friendly against Croatia at Boleyn Ground, converting from the spot in a 2-1 win. Inter Miami return to action next Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union, where Messi will aim to break his current streak or risk setting an unwanted personal record.

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