Messi’s Penalty Miss: A Panenka Flop with Costly Consequences
Lionel Messi, the football legend, faced a moment to forget on September 13, 2025, during Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC in the MLS. His attempted panenka penalty—a delicate chip shot—was easily saved by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, sparking a swift counterattack that handed Charlotte the lead and set the stage for a disastrous defeat. This miss, labeled a “spoon” for its soft, almost casual execution, not only embarrassed the star but fueled a hat-trick by Charlotte’s Idan Toklomati, sealing Inter Miami’s fate.
The Moment: A Panenka Gone Wrong
In the 32nd minute, with Inter Miami trailing 1-0, Messi earned a penalty after being bumped by Charlotte’s Djibril Diani, confirmed by VAR. It was Miami’s first penalty of the MLS season after 25 games without one, heightening the stakes. Facing Kahlina, Messi opted for a panenka—a risky, showy chip aimed to outwit the keeper by floating over a diving save.
But Kahlina wasn’t fooled. He stayed upright, easily catching the softly lofted ball aimed at the upper left corner. Within seconds, Charlotte capitalized on the miss. Kerwin Vargas assisted Toklomati for a goal in the 34th minute, making it 2-0 by halftime. Toklomati later completed his hat-trick, including another penalty, rubbing salt in Miami’s wound.
Messi’s stats told the story: His only shot of the night was the failed penalty, a rare blank for the Argentine. Coach Javier Mascherano called it an “unfortunate play,” noting Messi’s usual clutch brilliance.
Context: Messi’s Penalty Struggles Persist
Messi’s career penalty record is solid but not flawless. Excluding shootouts, he’s scored 111 penalties but missed 31, for a 78% conversion rate—lagging behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 84% (178 scored, 33 missed). The Charlotte miss brings his total to 31 or possibly 32, per conflicting reports from Transfermarkt and Athlon Sports.
This wasn’t his first panenka flop. In the 2024 Copa América quarter-final against Ecuador, Messi’s chipped penalty hit the crossbar, though Argentina advanced thanks to Emiliano Martinez’s saves. He later admitted to overthinking the shot, saying, “I was convinced I’d take it like that, but it went high.”
Other notable misses include a 2018 World Cup shot against Iceland, saved by Hannes Halldórsson, and a 2022 World Cup attempt against Poland, stopped by Wojciech Szczesny. These add to an unwanted record: Messi is the first player with two World Cup penalty saves against him since 1966.
Why It Matters: A Disaster for Inter Miami
The miss was more than a personal blunder—it shifted momentum. Charlotte’s sellout crowd of 35,000 roared, energized by Kahlina’s save. Inter Miami, already reeling from a 3-0 Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle, struggled without Luis Suárez, who was serving a suspension. The defeat risks their MLS playoff hopes, with only a few games left in the 2025 season.
Social media erupted. On X, #MessiPenalty trended with 10,000 posts, ranging from “Panenka curse strikes again” to Ronaldo fans mocking, “Penaldo would’ve buried it.” One user summed it up: “Messi’s a genius, but that spoon was a disaster.”
Broader Context: Messi’s 2025 Challenges
At 38, Messi remains a titan, fresh off scoring twice in Argentina’s 3-1 World Cup qualifier win over Venezuela on September 4. But injuries and age raise questions about his 2026 World Cup role, as he admitted to Reuters: “It’s a long time, and we’ll see how I feel.”
This miss adds to a tough MLS season for Inter Miami, compounded by teammate losses and controversies like Suárez’s spitting incident. For fans, it’s a reminder of Messi’s humanity—he’s not infallible, especially from 12 yards.
What’s Next: Can Messi Bounce Back?
Messi has a history of redemption. After missing in the 2016 Copa América final, he led Argentina to glory in 2021. With Inter Miami facing two critical matches without Suárez, he’ll need to shoulder the load. His next chance to silence critics comes against Atlanta United on September 20.
For now, the Charlotte miss stings. As one X post quipped, “Even GOATs slip on spoons.” But if anyone can turn disaster into triumph, it’s Messi.