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Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into soccer’s history books on Tuesday night, claiming the all-time record for international assists with a dazzling performance in Argentina’s 6-0 demolition of Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium. The 38-year-old maestro delivered two assists—one a sublime back-heel to Alexis Mac Allister, another a pinpoint pass to Lautaro Martínez—bringing his career total to 60, surpassing Neymar and Landon Donovan’s shared mark of 58.
The friendly, relocated from Chicago due to logistical concerns, saw the world’s No. 3-ranked Argentina overwhelm the No. 155-ranked Puerto Rico, a team featuring college players like Villanova’s goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler. Messi, fresh off a two-goal, one-assist display for Inter Miami against Atlanta United, showed no signs of fatigue despite a grueling schedule. His 75 passes, 15 final-third balls, and five big chances created earned him a 9.1 match rating, underscoring his enduring brilliance.
A Record-Breaking Night at Chase Stadium
The match, played on Messi’s home turf with Inter Miami, was a masterclass from the reigning World Cup champions. Argentina struck early when Messi’s 14th-minute shot rattled the crossbar, allowing Mac Allister to head in the opener from the rebound. Gonzalo Montiel doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, latching onto Messi’s delicate lob, while Mac Allister added his second before halftime. An own goal by Puerto Rico’s Steven Echevarria and a late brace from Martínez, including one off Messi’s clever back-heel in the 83rd minute, sealed the rout.
Argentina’s manager, Lionel Scaloni, beamed post-match, saying, “It makes us happy when he plays. I’m sure he and Rodrigo [De Paul] felt at home on their field.” Scaloni’s decision to rest Messi for Argentina’s prior 1-0 win over Venezuela paid dividends, with the captain playing the full 90 minutes against Puerto Rico, a rare feat given his packed MLS schedule.
Messi’s Unrivaled Legacy Grows
Messi’s 60th assist adds another jewel to a crown already glittering with 114 international goals, two Copa América titles, and the 2022 World Cup triumph. His record-breaking night coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo setting a new benchmark as the top scorer in World Cup qualifiers, fueling the eternal debate between the two icons. Yet, Messi’s performance was a reminder of his unique genius—combining vision, precision, and flair in a way that transcends statistics.
Puerto Rico, despite the lopsided scoreline, showed early fight. Leandro Antonetti’s long-range effort in the eighth minute forced a spectacular save from Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, while Cutler denied Messi twice in the second half. Still, the gulf in class was evident, with Argentina’s depth and Messi’s wizardry proving insurmountable.
What’s Next for Messi and Argentina?
The friendly served as a tune-up for the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. With Argentina already qualified, Scaloni used the match to test new faces like River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono, while leaning on veterans like Messi to set the tone. Messi, who has yet to confirm his participation in the tournament, hinted at his hunger for more glory, saying, “I’ll play as long as I feel I can contribute.”
As Messi returns to Inter Miami for their MLS regular-season finale against Nashville SC on October 18, his focus shifts to securing a top Eastern Conference seed for the playoffs. With 26 goals and 18 assists in MLS this season, he’s a frontrunner for back-to-back MVP honors.
A Global Stage, A Local Celebration
The match, though sparsely attended due to its last-minute relocation, was a treat for South Florida fans, with tickets as low as $25—a bargain to witness a living legend. As Messi continues to defy age and rewrite records, his performance against Puerto Rico was a testament to his unrelenting pursuit of greatness.
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