Lionel Messi becomes all-time international assist leader

Surpasses Neymar, Donovan to break a new record

October 17, 2025 00:00:00

Argentina's Lionel Messi attempts a shot on goal during the first half of a friendly match against Puerto Rico at Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Wednesday - Reuters

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct 16 (Aagencies): Lionel Messi has set a new record for most assists in men's international football - reaching 60 assists after providing two goals in Argentina's 6-0 win over Puerto Rico. With this feat, he officially passed Neymar and Landon Donovan, who both had 58.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is now just two assists away from hitting 400 in his overall career - including in club and his performance with the national team.

The match took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wrapping up Argentina's US tour. Messi didn't score, but assisted goals for Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez, who each scored twice. Gonzalo Montiel and an own goal by Steven Echevarria added to the final score.

Messi's first assist for Argentina came in the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro, also a 6-0 win. Nearly two decades later, he continues to break records, not just as a scorer, but as a top playmaker.

This latest feat adds to Messi's long list of records. He's already the all-time top scorer for Argentina, with 106 goals. He also holds the record for most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012), as well as the most goals in Europe's top five leagues, and most goals for a single club (672 for Barcelona).

The 38-year-old has also scored 886 goals for club and country, making him the second-highest goalscorer in football history, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 948 goals.

The World Cup winner is yet to decide if he is going to play the next 2026 World Cup with Argentina or not. The player said in a previous interview he say, "The truth is, if you stop and think about it, it feels far away, but at the same time, time flies. … I'll see how I feel. Of course, I think about it, but I don't want to set goals either."

Messi is keeping the door open but hasn't made a firm decision. The football legend will turn 39 during the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His focus for now is finishing the 2025 season with Inter Miami and staying healthy.

Earlier, he had two assists and helped start a play that led to another goal, as reigning World Cup champion Argentina beat Puerto Rico 6-0 in a relocated international friendly on Tuesday night.