Lionel Messi set a new assist record for Argentina, feeding Lautaro Martínez for a winner and scoring his 115th international goal, before focusing on Inter Miami’s critical MLS Cup playoff match.
Lionel Messi achieved a new international landmark during Argentina’s 2–0 victory over Angola, scoring his 115th goal and registering his ninth career assist for Lautaro Martínez, which ties his personal record for assists to a single player.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated (SI), legendary forward Lionel Messi set a new personal international landmark in Argentina’s 2–0 friendly victory against Angola at the Estádio 11 de Novembro on Friday.
The win featured a goal and a milestone assist from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi, who earned his 187th cap, found the scoresheet himself in the 82nd minute, marking his 115th international goal. However, the primary landmark of the match came from his setup for the opening goal.
The Argentine delivered a “perfectly weighted pass in the 43rd minute” to Inter striker Lautaro Martínez for the winner. This assist was Messi’s ninth career assist for Martínez, which ties his most assists for a single player for Argentina.
He had previously reached the same nine-assist milestone with former teammates Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero. Martínez is now just one assist away from breaking the deadlock between the three players.
Messi, who is now 38 years old, was only scheduled for a single appearance during the November international window after a friendly against Australia was postponed.
Following the victory, the forward must shift his focus back to domestic duties with Inter Miami, who defeated Nashville SC in the Round One of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs and are scheduled to face FC Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Messi, the favorite to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards, comes into the fixture with 20 goal contributions in his last eight matches for both club and country.