Ciro Messi channels his father with a stunning free kick and an unforgettable celebration

At just eight years old, Ciro Messi is already showing flashes that are bound to remind football fans of his famous father. During Inter Miami’s U8 appearance at the Dreams Cup, Lionel Messi’s youngest son produced a superb free kick before following it with a celebration that instantly drew even more attention.

Ciro stepped up to a dead-ball situation, took aim and struck the ball cleanly with his right foot. His effort cleared the wall and found the back of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.

The comparison with Lionel Messi was almost inevitable. While the Barcelona and Argentina legend is famously left-footed, Ciro is right-footed. Still, the composure he showed over the free kick and the quality of the finish carried an unmistakable family resemblance.

The celebration stole the spotlight

The goal alone would have been enough to make the moment memorable, but Ciro had another surprise in store.

After celebrating with his teammates, he was given a pair of sunglasses. He put them on, folded his arms and posed with the other children, recreating the kind of relaxed, confident celebration that immediately reminded viewers of his father.

The combination of the spectacular free kick and the sunglasses pose quickly turned Ciro’s performance into one of the standout moments of the tournament.

Ciro is making a name for himself

Life as Lionel Messi’s son inevitably means that Ciro’s performances will attract comparisons with one of football’s greatest players. At the same time, the eight-year-old is beginning to produce achievements of his own.

Inter Miami went on to win the Dreams Cup, putting together a dominant 10-2 victory over Weston FC in the final. Ciro scored twice in the decisive match, was named the tournament’s MVP and ended the competition as its leading scorer.

Football is also becoming a family affair for the Messi brothers. Ciro’s older brothers, Thiago and Mateo, are both part of Inter Miami’s youth system, meaning all three boys are developing at the same club where their father continues to add to his extraordinary career.

A Messi, but still just a kid

There is no way to know where football will eventually take Ciro. At eight, he has plenty of time to find his own path, and being constantly compared with Lionel Messi could become an enormous weight if those expectations arrive too early.

For now, though, Ciro is doing what any young footballer should be doing: playing, scoring and enjoying himself.

Still, moments like this make the comparisons difficult to escape. A beautifully struck free kick followed by a pair of sunglasses, folded arms and a confident pose is exactly the sort of sequence that leaves fans thinking of his father.