Lionel Messi breaks historic record in Argentina’s rout of Puerto Rico

Two assists in the victory took Messi’s tally to 60 for Argentina, surpassing Neymar’s previous record of 59. The feat further highlights his evolution from a pure goalscorer into a complete playmaker, a transformation that has defined the latter stages of his career.

In total, he now boasts 114 goals and 60 assists for La Albiceleste since making his debut in 2005, numbers that speak to both his longevity and adaptability.

The friendly, initially scheduled for Chicago, was relocated to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, home to Inter Miami, where Messi plays at the club level. There, he has scored 26 goals and provided 15 assists in 27 MLS appearances, continuing to dominate domestic soccer in the United States.

Playing in familiar surroundings, Messi orchestrated Argentina’s attack with trademark precision, threading passes through Puerto Rico’s defence and once again reminding the world of his enduring genius.

Beyond the international milestone, the performance also edges Messi closer to another landmark of 400 career assists across club and country, a figure few players in history could even approach. His ability to continue producing at the highest level deep into his late 30s underlines not only his technical brilliance but his intelligence and adaptability.

For Argentina, Messi remains the heartbeat of their game; for soccer, he remains its benchmark. His latest record isn’t just a testament to consistency; it’s a reminder that true greatness, in Messi’s case, never fades.