“At 0–1 down in first-half stoppage time, Messi threads the equalising pass that unlocks Saint-Étienne’s defence and sparks a comeback performance that becomes his first assist hat-trick for PSG and career assist number 316.”
Messi racks up his fifth career assist hat-trick, dictating PSG’s Ligue 1 trip to Saint-Étienne with three defence-splitting passes that turn a routine league outing into a pure playmaking showcase at age 34.
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.
At 2–1 in stoppage time, Messi threads one more defence-splitting pass to release Marquinhos and seal PSG’s win over Saint-Étienne, completing a rare Ligue 1 assist hat-trick and pushing his career tally to 318.
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 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.