It was another historic night for Lionel Messi in Fort Lauderdale on October 15, 2025. The Argentine legend became the all-time leader in men’s international assists. During Argentina’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico, Messi delivered two brilliant assists, moving ahead of Neymar Jr. in the record books.
Match Highlights
A Record-Breaking Night in Fort Lauderdale
Argentina were facing Puerto Rico in an international friendly at Chase Stadium, where Messi once again showed his brilliance. Messi returned to the national side after skipping the 1-0 win over Venezuela. The Argentine captain looked very sharp and enthusiastic, once again proving his world-class playmaking skills even with a busy schedule with his club team Inter Miami.
Messi provided two assists on the night that helped Argentina cruise to a dominant victory. In the 14th minute, he struck the crossbar with a powerful effort, and the rebound was headed home by Alexis Mac Allister to open the scoring. Just nine minutes later, Messi set up Gonzalo Montiel with a precise cross to make it 2-0.
In the second half, Messi also created another key pass leading to Lautaro Martínez’s goal, underlining his class and vision. Argentina’s attack was unstoppable, as Mac Allister and Martínez both scored twice, Montiel found the net once, and a Puerto Rican own goal sealed the 6-0 demolition.
Messi Goes Past Neymar in the Record Books
With these two assists, Lionel Messi now holds 60 assists in international football, overtaking Neymar Jr., who has 59. This makes Messi the player with the most assists in men’s international football history, yet another milestone in his legendary career.
Messi’s consistency over nearly two decades for Argentina is unmatched. From World Cup triumphs to Copa América glory, the 38-year-old continues to create goals for his teammates with ease.
Across all competitions for both club and country, Messi now has 398 career assists, just two away from reaching the remarkable 400-assist milestone. Alongside that, he has scored 886 career goals, taking his total goal + assist (G+A) contribution to 1,382, numbers that redefine longevity and excellence in football.
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Another Proud Moment in Messi’s Legendary Career
This record adds another glittering achievement to Messi’s incredible international journey. He already holds Argentina’s records for most appearances and goals, and now he leads the world in assists at the international level.
Despite not scoring in the Puerto Rico game, Messi’s influence was undisputable. His creativity, control, and understanding of space kept Argentina’s attack flowing effortlessly. Even at the age of 38, he continues to perform at the highest level for both club and country, proving that age hasn’t slowed him down.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi’s leadership and hinted that the team will manage his workload carefully as the nation prepares for upcoming international fixtures and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Road Ahead
Argentina’s performance against Puerto Rico reaffirmed their depth and dominance. The team looks balanced, with players like Mac Allister, Martínez, and Enzo Fernández stepping up alongside their captain.
For Messi, this record is not just another statistic, it’s a reflection of his unmatched ability to create magic for others. Whether he’s scoring or assisting, his impact on world football remains unparalleled.
Lionel Messi’s two assists against Puerto Rico didn’t just help Argentina win big, they also helped him create a new world record, surpassing Neymar and cementing his status as the greatest playmaker in international football history.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
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