Lionel Messi continues to redefine footballing greatness, now officially becoming the player with the most assists in football history. The Argentine maestro recorded his 405th career assist during Inter Miami’s 5–1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. The crucial pass, which set up teammate Leonardo Campana, propelled him past Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás (404 assists) and Brazilian icon Pelé (369), cementing his status not just as a prolific scorer but as the game’s ultimate creator.
This latest achievement adds another historic entry to Messi’s unparalleled list of records. The 38-year-old is already the sport’s all-time top scorer with over 800 combined goals for club and country. He holds the record for most goals in a single calendar year (91 in 2012) and has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. The assist milestone, achieved in his 1,168th professional game, showcases the completeness of his genius, proving his unparalleled ability to both finish and orchestrate play at the highest level for nearly two decades.
Messi's 405 career assist from the view of my seat 🐐🔥 pic.twitter.com/2qhNyf1zko
— johnny cortes (@johnnycortes) November 30, 2025
The match itself was a significant one for Messi’s club, as the decisive win secured Inter Miami’s first-ever berth in the MLS Cup final. While he did not score, his influence was undeniable, contributing to the team’s dominant performance and lifting the Eastern Conference trophy—the 47th major trophy of his illustrious career. This period in Major League Soccer, often viewed as a semi-retirement, has instead become another stage for Messi to extend his legendary records and chase more silverware.
Messi and Inter Miami will now prepare to face Thomas Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps for the MLS championship. With a trophy cabinet that already includes a FIFA World Cup, ten La Liga titles, and four UEFA Champions League winners’ medals, the chance to claim a debut MLS crown represents the next chapter in an already storied career. As he continues to play, each match offers the potential for yet another record to fall, further solidifying the legacy of the greatest to ever play the game.