“With Barcelona already 2–0 up against Málaga, Messi threads a late pass that pulls the defence apart for Thiago to kill the game at 3–0, capping a dominant display and bringing his tally to 131 career assists and 10 for the season.”
In the middle of a red‑hot scoring streak, Messi dictates Barça’s league trip to Málaga with a goal and two perfectly weighted assists, extending his flawless personal record against them to nine wins and nine goals in nine games.
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.
In a 5–0 El Clásico demolition already at 2–0, Messi’s perfectly timed through ball slices Real Madrid open for Villa to make it three, capping a masterclass in control and vision on the way to his 65th career assist.
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.