Lionel Messi has now jointly topped the record for the most assists in international football.
In such spectacular goals, it’s often easy to forget the assist provider. However, in Lautaro Martínez’s stunning goal, the name of the player who set it up will be remembered, and that’s because it was none other than Lionel Messi. By providing that assist, Messi has achieved yet another remarkable record!
With Martínez’s goal, Messi has now equaled the record for the most assists in international football, reaching 58 assists. He has now matched Landon Donovan, who previously held the record.
In this World Cup qualifier on Wednesday morning (Bangladesh time), Argentina defeated Peru with Martínez’s brilliant goal.
In the sixth minute of the second half, Messi received the ball outside the box, evaded a defender, and drove in from the left side. He then made a precise cross between three defenders to find Martínez, who leaped into the air and finished with a spectacular volley into the net.
This assist brought Messi’s total to 58 in international football, tying him with Donovan.
Donovan, considered one of the greatest U.S. footballers of all time, played 157 matches to reach this total. Messi, in contrast, has matched that record in just 191 matches.
Brazil’s Neymar is also close, having provided 57 assists in only 128 matches.
However, there is a gap in the records for this category, as detailed match statistics and assists were not always kept before the modern era. Many matches and stats are, therefore, unknown, and the record is based on available data.
For example, Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, who scored an incredible 84 goals in just 85 matches, has an official assist total of 53, though this number could vary slightly.
Another contemporary legend, Sándor Kocsis, who scored 75 goals in 68 matches, also has a disputed assist total of 50, much like Puskás.
Pelé’s assists are recorded as 47, though this may not be entirely accurate.
Among active players, Kevin De Bruyne has 49 assists, Cristiano Ronaldo has 48, and Mesut Özil retired with 40 assists. David Beckham, meanwhile, recorded 36 assists in his career.
