Soccer
The international record shared by Lionel Messi and Landon Donovan
One of the greatest American soccer players of all time, Donovan’s long-standing record was equalled in Argentina’s win over Peru.
Argentina bounced back from an uncharacteristic run of poor form on Tuesday night, squeezing past Peru thanks to a single Lautaro Martínez strike.
That Martínez goal takes him level with Diego Maradona in Argentina’s all-time international scoring charts. There was also a piece of history for the man who created that goal, Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
With the game goalless after 55 minutes, Messi received the ball 30 yards from goal and shimmied his way into the left side of Peruvian penalty box. Surrounded by three defenders, Messi nevertheless managed to dig out a clever clipped cross towards Martínez, who acrobatically volleyed the ball into the top corner.
That assist was Messi’s 58th for Argentina, equalling the record for the most assists in men’s international soccer. He draws level with USMNT legend Landon Donovan.
Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup?
It had been thought, when he finally lifted the trophy in 2022, that Lionel Messi’s World Cup career was over. He will be 39 by the time that the next tournament kicks off in the USA, Mexico and Canada but the Argentina captain is showing now signs of fading from the international stage.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Peru clash, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that he is looking to refresh the squad in 2025. Messi, however, is not in danger.
Scaloni explained: “In Leo’s case it is quite different. Leo always plays, I would say that sometimes he should rest and it would be better. But we do not think beyond that. It is important that there is continuity."
“Leo’s year is the year of a player who has played a lot of games, who has been available a lot, who had a Copa América in between. It’s very difficult for him to be 100% and not have physical problems, I see that as normal. He suffered an injury that disrupted his plans a bit, but in general he has always been fine with us,” the Argentina head coach added.
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