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Is Lionel Messi a cheat? Trolls slam soccer superstar over free kick 'move'

Lionel Messi's free kick earned Inter Miami a 4-4 draw against FC Dallas before they won the tie on penalties

FRISCO, TEXAS: A new clip of Lionel Messi making a cheeky angle adjustment to score a free kick for Inter Miami against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup match at the Toyota Stadium on Monday, August 7, has gone viral online. 

The video showed Messi inching the ball closer to the center of the goal when the referee had his back turned towards him as he was occupied with placing the wall that was being prepared by FC Dallas.

Although Messi's adjustment was minor, the purported footage showed him changing the position of the ball on five different occasions before scoring the goal, the Daily Mail reported.

As the clip surfaced online, several social media users trolled the player online and said that he was "cheating" on field.

Joe Pompliano shared the video on X and said, "This video of Lionel Messi slowly and sneakily moving the ball a few feet to the left so he has a better angle on his free kick is a good reminder that even the world's best athletes are constantly looking for an edge."

'This is pure cheating'

As the video of Messi's free kick move went viral on social media, several internet users trolled the soccer superstar for cheating on field.

"Name a better football duo than Messi and cheating I'll wait," one wrote. "Just ‘best player in the world’ Messi cheating again," another added.

"Messi is cheating," one simply stated. "Messi got caught cheating. Wow!! bad look for him," one commented. "Messi cheating but you’ll never hear about it," a fifth user tweeted.

Another claimed, "':ooking for an edge' is the new way to refer to cheating, lol. And yes, i know that many others do the same.... and yes, i think they all cheat (because it's against the rules)."

Another questioned, "Messi CHEATED by moving the ball 5 steps forward while the referee wasn’t looking. It should have been retaken! Why didn’t the ref put the white spray around the ball??"

Another penned, "That is pure cheating. He was only able to do that because referee wasn't looking."

Another added, "Banter aside Messi actually cheated with this freekick it should have been retaken messi move the ball 5 feet when the referee is not looking. #GOAT" 

'Messi just took advantage of the situation lol'

While many slammed Messi over the free kick against FC Dallas, some also came to the player's defense and claimed the "move" has long been in use.

"Messi creeping the ball over in order the get the best angle for the match-tying goal against Dallas is some big brain behavior," wrote MLS Buzz. 

"The amount of people saying cheating. The ref never sprayed the foam, Messi just took advantage of the situation lol," one user stated. 

"Lol the amount of people saying “it’s cheating”…just say you don’t watch actual football…..(or soccer). Every player does this. Its not 'cheating,'" another explained, adding, "Especially since it’s impossible to put the ball exactly where the foul is in real time. As long as it’s 'around' the spot."

When did Lionel Messi join Inter Miami? 

Following his departure from FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-German, Messi decided to step into the world of Major League Soccer (MLS) by signing with Inter Miami.

On July 15, Inter Miami announced that that they have officially signed Messi for a two-and-a-half year contract.

Messi was officially introduced to fans as a part of the team at a live-streamed event called "La PresentaSion" at DRV PRK Stadium on July 16 alongside former Barcelona teammate and fellow signee Sergio Busquets. 

Messi debuted with Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul on July 21 and scored a free kick at stoppage time to earn a 2-1 victory.

His latest viral free kick in Leagues Cup earned Inter Miami a 4-4 draw against FC Dallas before they won the tie on penalties.

According to Marca, Messi has become the first player in MLS history to score seven goals in his first four games for his club. Inter Miami is set to face Charlotte FC in the quarterfinals on Friday, August 11.