Lionel Messi equalled the record for the most assists in international football history during Argentina’s recent victory over Peru.

The South American icon weaved between a forest of shirts before clipping an inviting cross into the box. Lautaro Martinez had plenty to do but managed to hook his left foot around the ball, sending a vicious volley into the bottom corner. It was the 58th assist of Messi’s Argentina career, matching the high watermark set by former US forward Landon Donovan.

Donovan won a staggering 157 caps for the United States across the first decade-and-a-half of the 21st century. Most of the LA Galaxy legend’s 58 assists came in friendlies or qualifiers against fellow CONCACAF nations. While he managed to rack up an impressive five goals during his two trips to the World Cup, Donovan failed to register a single assist in the competition.

Messi, by contrast, has created eight World Cup goals – another record he shares, this time with his compatriot Diego Maradona.

The concept of an “assist” was not officially defined until former Arsenal boss Don Howe was recruited by Opta in 1996 and provided the definition; “the final pass or pass-cum-shot which directly leads to a goal scored by the recipient of the ball”.

Assists have only been accurately recorded in the last 15 years, but there is still some uncertainty surrounding these troublesome statistics in the modern day. There are contrasting figures regarding Neymar’s creative output, with some outlets reporting that the Brazilian also boasts 58 assists while others suggest he has 57.

In any case, no one in the 21st century can top Messi’s haul. Cristiano Ronaldo, the Argentine’s long-standing rival, has provided 37 assists for Portugal. Mesut Ozil is the only player to have finished as the leading assist provider at the end of a season in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, World Cup and European Championships, but created just 40 goals for Germany. England icon David Beckham mustered 39 while Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne can lay claim to 49 assists.

Messi will not have a chance to establish himself as the outright record holder until next year. Argentina travel to Uruguay in March intent on exacting some revenge after losing to Marcelo Bielsa’s full-throttle outfit in Buenos Aires a year ago.

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