Lionel Messi needs 5 assists in MLS Cup final to equal historic record held by legendary footballer

Lionel Messi stands on the brink of yet another remarkable milestone as Inter Miami prepares to face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup final on Saturday, December 6.

Messi has enjoyed a fine form at Miami this season, taking his numbers to a whole new level. The 38-year-old won his first-ever MLS Golden Boot in October after scoring 29 goals to become the league’s top scorer during his second full season with the Herons. In addition to his goal-scoring exploits, Lionel Messi also leads the way in assists, having set up 21 goals for his teammates.

Messi registered one assist in Inter Miami’s 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC in the MLS Eastern Conference final to become the all-time leader in career assists with 405, surpassing Ferenc Puskas’ record. As Inter Miami look to win their first-ever MLS Cup when they face Vancouver, Lionel Messi could attain yet another feat.

Former Colombian international Carlos Valderrama holds the record for the most assists in a single MLS season, registering 26 assists in 2000. With 21 assists registered so far, Lionel Messi would need to set up his teammates at least five times against Vancouver to equal Valderrama’s record.

Messi is currently second in all-time MLS regular season assists leaders, with his assist against New York City FC putting him ahead of Sacha Kljestan and Maximiliano Moralez, who sit in joint third with 20 assists.

However, the possibility of Messi equaling Valderrama is very slim considering that he only has 90 minutes in the final against Vancouver. The all-time assist provider in the MLS is Landon Donovan, who racked up an impressive 136 assists in 340 league appearances.

“I think we are a team that has grown and learned to compete – When Lionel Messi backed Inter Miami for MLS Cup success

Before the MLS Cup Playoff, Lionel Messi tipped Inter Miami as one of the favorites for the championship, emphasizing their growth and competitive strength. He told Fabrizio Romano in an interview ahead of their first-round clash with Atalanta United:

"Well, I think we are one of the favorites. I think we are a team that has grown and learned to compete and that will compete with anyone. But I think there are also tough teams who will be very difficult rivals and who will not make it easy. But I think the other teams respect us like we respect them."

So far this year, Messi has scored 43 goals and provided 24 assists for Inter Miami in 48 appearances across competitions.