Lionel Messi has equalled the all-time assist record in international football, but fans have been stunned by who he is now on par with.
After suffering play-off disappointment with Inter Miami in the MLS, Messi was back in an Argentina shirt in the international break but saw his side lose 2-1 away to Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side responded with a 1-0 win over Peru at La Bombonera, with Lautaro Martinez’ exquisite volley just after half-time the difference between the two teams.
Messi was the provider, dribbling into space down the left and delivering the cross for Martinez to produce a stunning finish.
It was Messi’s 58th assist in international football and saw him move ahead of former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar.
In the top ten on the list was Kevin De Bruyne, Ferenc Puskas and Mesut Ozil among other legendary players but the man who Messi is level with is actually none other than former Everton forward Landon Donovan.
Donovan, who played for LA Galaxy, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, was capped 157 times by the United States and found the net a joint-record 57 times.
He also laid on an impressive 58 assists for his teammates in a 14-year stint playing for his country, where he is deemed as the greatest ever player.
Messi is not short of records in his collection and is the king of assists at club level. But he will hoping to add another before he retires and you certainly wouldn’t bet against the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Top ten assist-makers in international football:
1.Lionel Messi/Landon Donovan – 58
3.Neymar – 57
4.Ferenc Puskas – 57
5.Sandor Kocsis – 50
6.Kevin De Bruyne – 49
7.Alexis Sanchez – 41
9.Mesut Ozil – 40
10.David Beckham/Cristiano Ronaldo – 36
Featured Image Credit: Getty
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