“At 0–0 early in a Champions League group tie against Ajax, Messi’s precise combination play slices open the defence to free Neymar in space, breaking the deadlock and underlining his creative influence with career assist No.165 and his 10th of the season.”
In the middle of a hot Champions League scoring streak, Messi controls this group-stage tie against Ajax with a goal and a slick assist in just 67 minutes, earning Man of the Match as Barça cruise through a tricky fixture.
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 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 3–0 in a Copa América semi-final, Messi threads a late pass that slices open the tiring U.S. back line, springing Higuaín to seal a 4–0 rout and cap one of his most dominant tournament displays, adding career assist No. 213 and his 27th of the season.