At 38 years old, when most footballers are long retired, Lionel Messi continues redefining the sport. The Argentina legend reached an unprecedented 1,300 career goal contributions on Sunday after producing a stunning performance to guide Inter Miami to a 4–0 victory over FC Cincinnati, securing a place in the Eastern Conference Final.
Messi, who had been goalless in his previous three matches against Cincinnati, finally broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner rose to meet Mateo Silvetti’s cross with a precise header to give Miami the early advantage.
The goal opened the floodgates. Messi then supplied three assists, setting up Tadeo Allende for a brace and creating another for Silvetti in a commanding display at TQL Stadium. His trio of assists also allowed him to tie Ferenc Puskás for the most assists recorded in football history.
With Sunday’s performance, Messi reached a historic milestone no player has ever touched:
1,300 goal contributions (896 goals, 404 assists) since his 2004 Barcelona debut.
Inter Miami will now face the winner of Philadelphia vs— in the Eastern Conference Final.
