“With Barcelona already ahead in a Copa del Rey semi-final, Messi threads a perfectly timed pass that slices open Almería’s defence for Villa, doubling the lead and padding his tally with career assist No. 75.”
A ruthless Copa del Rey semi-final showing where Messi’s brace and a precise assist effectively kill the tie in the first leg, extending both his hot scoring streak and his dominance over Almería.
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 1–1 in a World Cup knockout thriller against France, Messi’s quick-thinking touch and stabbed pass through a crowded box create the deflected opening for Mercado to restore Argentina’s lead, marking career assist number 251.