Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi Stands Alone After Breaking All-Time Record

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Nov 30, 2025 1:06 PM ET

Lionel Messi recorded a new all-time record for assists in Inter Miami’s 5-1 victory over New York City FC that punched the Herons’ ticket to the 2025 MLS Cup final.

The 38-year-old superstar assisted Mateo Silvetti in the 67th minute. His 405th career assist elevated him above Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas, who previously held the all-time record with 404 career assists.

The record includes both club and international assists. Puskas played for Budapest Honved and Spanish giants Real Madrid during his club career. He made 90 appearances for Hungary and scored an incredible 86 goals for his national team.

Messi has now registered six goals and seven assists through five playoff games. He finished the 2025 MLS regular season with the league lead in goals (29), assists (19) and shots (157).

Another record broken ✍️️ Simplemente Leo Messi pic.twitter.com/oqJuU6o47I
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 30, 2025

The Argentina national team captain previously represented Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in club competitions.

Messi Leads Inter Miami Into Club's First-Ever MLS Cup Appearance

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) accepts the MLS Winners Cup at the end of the MLS Eastern Conference finals match between New York FC and Inter Miami CF during a MLS Cup Playoffs match at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Inter Miami will face the Vancouver Whitecaps on December 6 in the 2025 MLS Cup final. The match will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass, Apple TV, FOX, FOX Deportes, TSN and RDS.

Both Inter Miami and Vancouver will be playing in their first-ever MLS Cup final match.

Notably, the match will be the final game in the careers of former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who will retire from professional football following the match. Both Busquets and Alba were longtime teammates of Messi at FC Barcelona.

The match will be played at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium due to Inter Miami’s superior record during the 2025 MLS regular season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: