Still rewriting history at 38 — Lionel Messi ties Puskas for most assists in football history

23.11.25 FT MLS USA

FC Cincinnati

0

:

Inter Miami CF

4

There are almost no records left for Lionel Messi to break and yet the Argentine continues to rewrite football’s history books.

On Monday night, in front of 26000 fans at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, Messi produced another masterclass to guide Inter Miami to the Eastern Conference semi finals with commanding 4-0 victory.

Messi scored the opening goal in the 19 minute before delivering three assist in the second half (57’, 62’, 74’). It was performance that didn’t just define the match.. it reshaped the global record books.

404 Assist: Messi Ties Puskas for the Most Assists in Football History

Messi’s hat trick of assists lifted his career total to 404 assist placing him joint first in football history alongside Ferenc Puskas.

All time assist leaders (as of 24 November 2025):

• Lionel Messi: 404
• Ferenc Puskas: 404
• Pele: 369
• Johan Cruyff: 358
• Thomas Muller: 352
• Luis Suarez: 317
• Kevin De Bruyne: 316

It is almost inevitable that Messi will take sole ownership of the record in the coming days.

1300 Career Goal Contribution — A Benchmark No Player Has Ever Reached

Messi’s goal + assist output vs Cincinnati pushed him to staggering:

• 896 goal + 404 assist = 1300 total goal contributions

No player in history has ever:

• Scored 800+ goal and delivered 400+ assist

These totals span his legendary spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain, Inter Miami and the Argentine national team.

A Historic Season With Inter Miami

Messi’s resurgence in MLS continues to fuel his late career brilliance:

• 38 goal in 40 match
• 22 assist

Inter Miami reach their first ever MLS Conference Final

The club will host New York City FC at Chase Stadium on Saturday 29 November the biggest match in Inter Miami’s young history.

Founded in 2018, the club has never lifted the MLS title.. Messi now has them within touching distance.

Beyond the Records: Messi’s Final World Cup on the Horizon

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Messi’s form remains at elite level few athletes in any sport have sustained into their late 30s.

Although he has not announced retirement date, the numbers and performances suggest there is still more to come.

And with just 1 assist needed to own the all-time record outright, the next chapter of Messi’s unmatched legacy may be written in matter of days.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

FC Cincinnati

Inter Miami CF

MLS USA