Lionel Messi set up Lautaro Martínez’s winner in Argentina’s 2–0 win over Angola on Friday, adding another entry to his personal record books.
The Argentine’s perfectly weighted pass in the 43rd minute was his ninth career assist for the Inter striker, tying his most assists for a single player for Argentina. Messi reached the same milestone with former teammates Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero.
Just one more assist for Martínez will break the deadlock between the three players. Messi and Argentina’s current No. 9 would then have a small bit of history to go along with their international triumphs that include winning back-to-back Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will have to wait until the new year to try and hit the new personal best, though, after Argentina’s international friendly with Australia, originally scheduled to unfold on Nov. 17, was postponed.
Still, Messi will be happy with his lone appearance for Argentina during the November international window. Along with his landmark assist to Martínez, the 38-year-old also got himself on the scoresheet in the 82nd minute, registering his 115th international goal in his 187th cap.
