“At 1–0 up in a Champions League semi-final, Messi threads the pass that slices open Chelsea’s deep block for Iniesta to make it 2–0, a vision-first assist that briefly puts Barcelona in total control and becomes his 118th career setup.”
In a tense Champions League semi-final second leg, Messi drives Barcelona’s siege of 10-man Chelsea, threading the assist that briefly puts Barça ahead before his missed penalty and relentless 90-minute involvement turn this into one of his most dramatic near-misses on the European stage.
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.
In a tense Copa América semi-final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi threads the early pass that slices Colombia open and springs Lautaro Martínez free, breaking the stalemate and pushing Argentina toward the final as he logs career assist number 315.
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.