MIAMI – The reigning World Champions demonstrated their ruthless efficiency in a comprehensive 6-0 friendly victory over Puerto Rico on Tuesday, a performance analysts quickly dubbed a "tennis score" rout. At the heart of this domination was Captain Lionel Messi, who, despite not registering a goal, orchestrated the masterpiece by setting an unprecedented international record for assists.
The friendly, held at the Chase Stadium in Florida—familiar territory for the Inter Miami star—was less about competition and more about showcasing the depth and cohesion of Lionel Scaloni’s formidable Argentina squad. Returning to the starting lineup after missing the previous friendly, the 38-year-old maestro immediately commanded the flow of the game, proving he remains the indispensable engine of La Albiceleste.
The Master Playmaker’s Touch
Argentina's dominance was established early and maintained throughout the 90 minutes. While the first goal was officially credited to Alexis Mac Allister, it was Messi’s influence that created it: his initial shot rattled the crossbar, allowing Mac Allister to score from the rebound.
However, Messi claimed two official assists that night, both displaying elite vision and execution:
The Through Ball: He delivered a perfectly weighted, delicate through ball that sliced the defense open for Gonzalo Montiel, who finished with a powerful volley, doubling the lead.
The Backheel: Later in the game, Messi showcased a moment of pure genius, providing a brilliant backheel pass within the box to Lautaro Martínez, who converted coolly to seal the resounding 6-0 victory.
Setting a New Global Standard
It was that second assist to Martínez that secured a monumental personal milestone: Messi officially reached 60 assists for the national team, establishing a new world record for the most assists in men’s international football history. He surpassed football legends such as Neymar and Landon Donovan to claim the prestigious record outright.
This achievement underscores the evolution of Messi’s game as he enters the twilight of his career. No longer reliant solely on blistering pace to beat defenders, he leverages his unparalleled field vision to unlock defenses, turning himself into the world’s most effective playmaker.
The performance also brought him closer to another landmark, as his career assist tally for club and country now stands just four shy of the remarkable 400 mark.
World Cup Focus
For Argentina, the 6-0 win serves as an ideal warm-up ahead of their title defense in the 2026 World Cup. Despite the relaxed nature of the friendly, the team’s clinical finishing—with goals also coming from Mac Allister, Montiel, Lautaro Martínez (a brace), and an own goal—demonstrates their readiness to compete at the highest level.
As the current World Champions continue their preparations, Messi’s record-breaking night reaffirms his essential role, not merely as a scorer, but as the master architect shaping Argentina's quest for continued global success.
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