Lionel Messi makes history with 400 career assists

Lionel Messi Reaches 400 Career Assists: The Legend Adds Another Record in MLS

Even after two decades at the top, Lionel Messi continues to redefine greatness. The Argentine superstar achieved another monumental milestone as he recorded his 400th career assist during Inter Miami’s emphatic 4-0 win over Nashville SC in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Messi was at his magical best once again - scoring twice in the first half and providing two brilliant assists, guiding Inter Miami to victory in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. With those assists, Messi has now officially crossed the 400-mark for assists across club and country, cementing his place among football’s greatest playmakers.

Messi’s Remarkable Milestone

Lionel Messi’s latest feat puts him in rare company. The Inter Miami captain now stands just four assists shy of the all-time record held by Ferenc Puskás. In total, Messi has featured in 1,133 matches, netting 894 goals and registering 400 assists - numbers that seem almost unreal.

His long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently sits ninth on the list with 304 career assists, further highlighting Messi’s unmatched creativity and consistency on the field.

Masterclass Against Nashville

Against Nashville, Messi was directly involved in every goal of the series - scoring five and assisting three out of Inter Miami’s total eight. In the decisive Game 3, Tadeo Allende scored twice within three minutes in the second half, both set up by Messi’s vision and precision. Inter Miami completely dominated the contest, showing just how crucial Messi’s leadership has become to the team’s success.

Next Challenge: FC Cincinnati

• With this win, Inter Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face FC Cincinnati on November 22 or 23. The format now shifts to single elimination, raising the stakes even higher.
• Interestingly, Cincinnati and Inter Miami met twice during the regular season- Cincinnati won 3-0 at home in July, while the second encounter ended in a goalless draw. Messi featured in the first match but missed the second.
• Veteran defender Jordi Alba, who will retire after this playoff campaign, acknowledged the challenge ahead.
• “We know Cincinnati will be a tough test,” said Alba, following his 100th appearance for the club.

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Messi Eyes Back-to-Back MLS MVP Titles

Messi is the frontrunner for the MLS MVP Award for a second straight year - something no player has ever achieved in league history. He also clinched the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer this season and recently finalized a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028.

At 38, Messi continues to perform at an elite level, blending experience, creativity, and leadership to keep Inter Miami’s title hopes alive.

Inter Miami’s Best-Ever Playoff Run

This marks Inter Miami’s deepest run in the MLS playoffs since the club’s inception. The last time a Miami-based team reached this stage was back in 2001, when the now-defunct Miami Fusion reached the semifinals.

For Inter Miami, this is uncharted territory -a journey led by a player who has made a career out of breaking barriers and setting new standards.

The Legacy Continues

A year ago, Inter Miami fell short in Round 1 against Atlanta. Today, they stand on the brink of making history — powered by Messi’s brilliance and unmatched hunger to win.

Whether it’s Barcelona, Argentina, PSG, or now Inter Miami- one thing remains constant: Lionel Messi keeps rewriting football history, one magical moment at a time

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