Lionel Messi equaled the record for most assists in international football history during Argentina’s recent win over Peru.
The South American icon weaved through a forest of shirts before carving a cozy cross into the box. Lautaro Martínez had a lot to do, but managed to get his left foot around the ball, sending a vicious volley under the corner. It was the 58th assist of messiahArgentina’s career, matching the high-water mark set by former American striker Landon Donovan.
Donovan won an astonishing 157 caps for the United States in the first decade and a half of the 21st century. Most of the LA Galaxy legend’s 58 assists came in friendlies or qualifiers against other CONCACAF nations. Despite managing to rack up an impressive five goals across his two trips to the World Cup, Donovan did not register a single assist in the competition.
Messi, on the other hand, has created eight World Cup goals, another record he shares, this time with his compatriot Diego Maradona.
G⚽️L FROM ARGENTINA! 🐂 Leo’s perfect assist for Toro to open the scoring with a huge goal 🤯
10′ ST | 🇦🇷 Argentina 1 – 0 Peru 🇵🇪
will look #ArgentinaXTelefe with the comments of @jpvarsky and the stories of @giraltpablo for https://t.co/2ECurz7ibV 📺 pic.twitter.com/P17k0fjggd
— telefe (@telefe) November 20, 2024
The concept of “assistance” was not officially defined until former Arsenal boss Don Howe was recruited by Opta in 1996 and provided the definition; “The final pass or pass-cum-shot that leads directly to a goal scored by the receiver of the ball.”
Aids have only been accurately recorded in the last 15 years, but there is still some uncertainty surrounding these pesky statistics today. There are conflicting figures NeymarHis creative output, with some media reporting the Brazilian also has 58 assists, while others suggest he has 57.
In any case, no one in the 21st century can beat Messi’s haul. Cristiano Ronaldo, the The Argentine’s longtime rivalhe has made 37 assists for Portugal. Mesut Ozil is the only player to finish as the top assist provider at the end of a season in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, World Cup and European Championships, but created just 40 goals for Germany. Icon of England David Beckham collected 39 assists, while Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne can claim 49 assists.
Messi will not have the opportunity to establish himself as an absolute record until next year. Argentina traveled to Uruguay in March looking for revenge after losing to Marcelo Bielsa’s side in Buenos Aires a year ago.
