At 118 minutes of a World Cup knockout tie still locked at 0–0, Messi’s surge through the Swiss lines draws defenders and frees Di María, his perfectly timed pass finally cracking the deadlock for Argentina and standing as his 155th career assist.

Winning GoalLast Minute

@Switzerland0–1Jul 1

In a Wembley final locked at 0–0 against European champions Italy, Messi’s burst and cutback from the left carve open a packed defence for Lautaro Martínez, his vision breaking the deadlock and pushing his career tally to 330 assists.

Knockout Stage

@Italy0–3Jun 1

With Argentina’s World Cup qualifier locked at 0–0, Messi threads the decisive pass that finally opens Peru’s defence and springs Lautaro Martínez through, a late‑career moment of pure vision that breaks the deadlock and becomes assist number 379 of his career and 18 of the season.

Winning Goal

vsPeru1–0Nov 19

Trailing 0–2 in the MLS Cup final, Messi threads the pass that finally cracks Vancouver’s block and sparks Inter Miami’s comeback, his late‑career vision turning a desperate lifeline into career assist No.406 and his second of a Man of the Match performance.

Knockout Stage

vsVancouver W'caps3–1Dec 6