Argentine superstar Lionel Messi cemented his status as the most creative player in football history on Sunday, registering his 405th career assist to break the all-time global record during Inter Miami’s dominant 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the MLS Cup semifinal.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner delivered the decisive pass for the team’s third goal in the 67th minute, moving past Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, who previously held the record with 404 career assists. The win secured the Eastern Conference title for Inter Miami and booked their place in the 2025 MLS Cup Final against Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 38-year-old forward’s achievement underscores his role as a complete playmaker, adding to his record-setting goal tally of nearly 900 for club and country. His latest milestone contributed to a crucial victory that saw the club clinch its first Eastern Conference championship since Messi’s arrival in 2023.
”The consistency of his creativity at this level, after decades in the game, is simply unmatched,” said a post-match statement from Inter Miami CF on social media. “He is not just a scorer; he is the architect of history.” The Argentine’s performance in the 2025 season has been pivotal for the club, as he led the league in both goals and assists during the regular campaign.
Messi now holds the definitive record for goal contributions in world football, combining his goals and assists for a total exceeding 1,300, a figure experts believe will stand for decades.
