“With the semi-final still goalless, Messi threads the move that cracks Villarreal’s defence wide open, timing his combination with Neymar to create the first breakthrough and add Copa del Rey assist No.175 of his career, No.20 of a prolific season.”
On a hot scoring streak but held without a goal, Messi instead dictates this Copa del Rey semi-final as chief creator, carving Villarreal open with three big chances and a precise assist to earn Man of the Match over the full 90 minutes.
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 an El Clásico Supercopa final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi threads the move that releases Iniesta behind Madrid’s line, breaking the tension and opening the scoring before later capping the night by reaching the 200-career-goal mark.
At 2–0 in an MLS Cup semi-final, Messi threads the move that rips Cincinnati open and turns control into dominance at 3–0, the incisive pass that both kills the tie and pushes him to a staggering 1300 career goal contributions.