“With the tie still goalless in a Champions League knockout first leg, Messi threads the move that finally pierces Leverkusen’s defence, timing his pass to free Alexis for the opener and cap his 25th assist of a prolific season (112th of his career).”
In a tense Champions League Round of 16 first leg, Messi dictates Barcelona’s away win at Leverkusen with a goal, a precise assist and relentless dribbling, taking full control of the tie’s tempo from deep and between the lines.
At 2–0 up in a World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Messi’s twisting run on the right pulls Gvardiol apart and carves out the byline angle for Álvarez to tap in, sealing the final spot and logging career assist 349.
At 2–0 in a Champions League semi-final against Bayern, Messi threads a stoppage-time pass that releases Neymar to seal a 3–0 first-leg cushion, capping his masterclass with career assist number 183.
At 1–1 in a World Cup knockout thriller against France, Messi’s quick-thinking touch and stabbed pass through a crowded box create the deflected opening for Mercado to restore Argentina’s lead, marking career assist number 251.
With Argentina protecting a narrow lead deep in a Copa América quarter-final, Messi’s perfectly timed through ball slices Ecuador open to spring Lautaro Martínez clear and double the advantage, a pressure-soaked assist that pushes his side toward the semi-finals and marks career assist number 314.