Watch: Lionel Messi’s Panenka Penalty Denied as Inter Miami Miss Golden Opportunity
In a moment that stunned fans both inside the stadium and around the world, Lionel Messi was denied from the penalty spot in Inter Miami’s latest MLS showdown. The Argentine superstar, who has built his career on producing magic in the most crucial of moments, saw his bold Panenka attempt saved — a turning point that could have changed the course of the match.
The build-up to the penalty
Inter Miami had been pushing hard, applying constant pressure on their opponents. When the referee pointed to the spot, the entire stadium erupted, knowing this was the moment for their captain to tilt the game in Miami’s favor. Messi picked up the ball calmly, just as he has done countless times before, and placed it on the spot with the confidence that has defined his career.
The surprise attempt
Instead of going for power or precision into the corners, Messi chose to display his trademark flair with a Panenka — the cheeky, chipped finish designed to outwit goalkeepers who dive early. The crowd gasped in anticipation, certain they were about to witness another piece of Messi magic.
But this time, the gamble didn’t pay off. The goalkeeper, showing nerves of steel, stood tall and easily gathered the softly chipped effort. The stadium fell silent as Inter Miami’s golden chance slipped away in stunning fashion.
A rare miss for Messi
For Messi, such moments are almost unheard of. Known for his composure under pressure, the World Cup winner has converted penalties on the biggest stages — from Champions League knockout ties to international finals. Yet football’s greatest players are not immune to setbacks, and this miss highlighted the unpredictable drama that makes the game so compelling.
The aftermath
The denied opportunity seemed to shift the momentum. Miami, who had been riding a wave of confidence, looked shaken as their opponents gained belief from the heroic stop. Messi, visibly frustrated, urged his teammates to keep pushing, but the miss became the talking point of the night.
For the opposition goalkeeper, it was nothing short of a career-defining moment. Saving a Messi penalty — and a Panenka attempt at that — is a memory that will be etched forever in his career highlights.
