As the world remains fixated on the goal-scoring duel between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is another statistic in which the Argentine star is on the verge of achieving something never seen before. It’s not about goals this time, but about assists—the measure of creativity and vision that often goes underappreciated. In Major League Soccer, Messi is just a handful of passes away from reaching a historic milestone: 400 career assists.

It’s a number that seems almost otherworldly and reinforces his place not only as one of the greatest scorers in history but also as the ultimate playmaker. With 389 assists already to his name, Messi has never been confined to being just the finisher; he has been the conductor of the orchestra. His precision passes, incisive through balls, and a

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