“Against Venezuela in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier, Messi caps Argentina’s controlled 3–0 win by finishing Di María’s late assist, another composed contribution to the campaign guiding his country toward Qatar and taking him to career goal 760.”
Already-qualified Argentina use this qualifier to fine‑tune for Qatar as 34-year-old Messi runs the game for 90 minutes, earning Man of the Match with a late close‑range goal and relentless dribbling that underlines his leadership at the peak of his final World Cup cycle.
Against Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final Clásico, Messi latches onto Sergio Busquets’ pass to double Barça’s late lead to 2–0, effectively sealing the tie and adding Champions League goal number 36 to his burgeoning career tally.
Against Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final, Messi latches onto Ivan Rakitić’s pass to double Barcelona’s lead on the night, capping a masterclass performance en route to his 77th goal in the competition and 452nd of his career.
With Barcelona pegged back at 1–1 in a Champions League quarter-final, Messi latches onto Pedro’s assist to restore the lead against Arsenal, the second act of a four-goal masterclass that drives him toward career goal 130.
Against a Chelsea side that had frustrated him for years, Messi pounces on Luis Suárez’s early assist to break the deadlock in the third minute and set Barcelona on their way, moving to the brink of his 100th Champions League goal.