Messi’s Panenka Blunder: A “Spoon” That Spoon-Fed Charlotte a Win
Ah, the Panenka penalty—football’s cheekiest trick, named after Antonín Panenka’s iconic chip over the keeper in the 1976 Euro final. It’s a “spoon” (or cucchiaio in Italian, that delicate scoop-shot lob) that can humiliate a goalie if it works, but when it flops? Total disaster, as Lionel Messi just learned the hard way.
On September 13, 2025, during Inter Miami’s MLS clash against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium, Messi stepped up for a spot-kick in the 32nd minute—the Herons’ first penalty of the entire MLS regular season after 25 games without one. Coming off two goals for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner oozed confidence. He went for the Panenka: a soft, left-footed chip aimed down the middle.
But Charlotte’s Croatian keeper, Kristijan Kahlina (the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year), read it like a book. Already shifting right, he barely had to stretch to tip the ball up and snag it from the air. It wasn’t even a full dive—just a casual deflection that left Messi with that all-too-familiar sheepish shrug.
The fallout? Immediate and brutal. Just a minute later, in the 33rd, Charlotte countered ruthlessly: a quick break exploited Miami’s rattled defense, ending with Idan Toklomati tapping in the opener. Halftime: 1-0. Second half? Charlotte piled on—Toklomati bagged two more for a hat-trick (his second in MLS history), including a tap-in off a Wilfried Zaha assist and a late clincher after Miami’s Tomás Avilés got sent off for a second yellow. Final whistle: 3-0 thrashing. Inter Miami, already reeling from their Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle earlier in August, tumbled to seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 13-7-6 record.
This marks Messi’s first penalty miss since that infamous spoon against Poland at the 2022 World Cup—ending a perfect streak of three-for-three from the spot in Miami colors. Coach Javier Mascherano downplayed it post-match, saying something along the lines of “it happens to the best,” but fans online? They’re roasting: memes of Messi’s chip looking like a lazy Sunday loft, comparisons to his 2022 World Cup whiff, and plenty calling it a “penalty to forget.”
For a guy who’s converted 84% of his career penalties (109 out of 129), this one’s a rare stinker. But hey, even GOATs have off days—especially when trying to outfox a keeper who’s basically a brick wall. Miami’s got a grueling stretch ahead (seven games in 22 days), so let’s hope Messi’s next spot-kick is a rocket, not a ricochet.
If you’re hunting for the highlights, check MLS Season Pass on Apple TV—Kahlina’s save is pure gold (or should I say, pure spoon-block?). What’s your take: Bold genius or needless risk?