“At 2–0 up in a Champions League group tie, Messi threads a perfectly timed pass that slices Dortmund’s back line and releases Griezmann into clear space to kill the contest at 3–0, capping a 10/10 Man of the Match display and his 281st career assist.”
On the night he collects his 300th Man of the Match award, Messi tears through Dortmund in a Champions League group tie with a goal and two assists, orchestrating Barcelona’s attack from start to finish.
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.