At 1–0 down in stoppage time of a Champions League semi-final, Messi’s perfectly weighted layoff at the edge of a packed Chelsea box unlocks the only shooting lane Iniesta needs, turning looming elimination into a last-gasp equalizer and his 45th career assist.
With Barcelona trailing at home to Milan in their Champions League opener, Messi threads the equaliser-making pass that slices open a packed defence, restoring control before halftime and adding assist number 94 of his career.
At 0–1 down against Sevilla, Messi threads the pass that unlocks the defence and drags Barça level, a momentum-shifting equaliser that also stands as his 150th career assist.
With Barcelona trailing early away to Betis, Messi threads a perfectly timed pass that pulls the defence apart and frees De Jong to level the match, one of three assists in a 10/10 masterclass and his 286th career setup.