Lionel Messi breaks another record after surpassing former Barcelona team-mate Neymar during Argentina victory
Published 15/10/2025 at 14:45 GMT+1
Breaking records is something which comes naturally to Lionel Messi, and he was at it again on Tuesday night. Argentina romped to a 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico, and Messi was the provider for two of the goals in the rout. That was enough to move the captain ahead of former Barcelona team-mate Neymar on the all-time list. Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister was among the goalscorers on the night.
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Lionel Messi is heading towards the end of an illustrious career, one in which he has achieved things beyond the wildest dreams of most footballers, but the Argentine is still breaking records.
At the ripe old age of 37, Messi is still doing what he does best and surpassed a former Barcelona team-mate in achieving yet another milestone.
Messi earned his 195th cap for Argentina in a friendly against Puerto Rico on Tuesday, and claimed his 60th international assist in the process.
The skipper was the provider for both Gonzalo Montiel and Lautaro Martinez in the 6-0 rout, as he overtook Neymar at the top of the list for all-time men's international assists.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister also scored a brace on the night, alongside a Steven Echevarria own goal, in what was a comprehensive win for the reigning world champions.
Mac Allister previously spoke to TNT Sports about Messi’s achievements, and believes there is only one winner in a comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said: "I don’t think there was a debate, even before the World Cup. Maybe it is because I am Argentinian.
"I really respect Cristiano Ronaldo, but for me, Messi is the best, and there will be no one like him.
"I think everybody will be sad to lose the best player in the world [when Messi retires].
"He has given so much to this sport, and I am pretty sure that people will miss him. He gave everything.
"It is a pleasure to play alongside him. He is the best player I have ever seen, and I don’t think that is going to change."
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What was more poignant for Messi, is that the achievement came at the Chase Center – the home of current club Inter Miami.
Messi's goals have understandably been at the forefront of describing the diminutive playmaker’s greatness, but his ability to provide for others cannot be underestimated.
To go back to Messi's first assist, you would have to go all the way back to his World Cup debut at the 2006 finals in Germany.
Messi was the provider for Hernan Crespo, as La Albiceleste thrashed Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in the group stage.
It is the latest in a slew of records which Messi has broken. He has won eight Ballon d'Ors and is the only player to win the award in three separate decades (2000s, 2010s and 2020s).
He also holds the record for scoring the most goals in a calendar year (91) in 2012, and for scoring in 21 consecutive matches during the 2012/13 campaign.
Messi is also the all-time record scorer for Barcelona (672) and in La Liga (474), and the only player to score 30+ club goals in 13 successive seasons.
In terms of collective honours, Messi has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, two Ligue 1 titles, the World Cup, and two Copa Americas.
Meanwhile, the talk of Messi’s assists could also be back on the agenda again very soon, with the 37-year-old just two shy of reaching 400 in his career.
Messi will have a chance to reach closer to the magic number of 400 when he returns to club duty for Inter Miami. Javier Mascherano's side are in MLS action away at Nashville SC on Saturday.
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These are truly remarkable numbers which, arguably, only his legendary rival Cristiano Ronaldo can match.
The Portugal captain reached a hugely impressive milestone on the same day as Messi, scoring his 40th World Cup qualifying goal in the first part of a brace in a 2-2 draw with Hungary.
That is more than any other player in footballing history, overtaking the record set by Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz, and four more than Messi.
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