Messi Becomes 1st Footballer Ever to Reach 1,300 Goal Contributions After Masterclass for Inter Miami

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.