Lionel Messi had his head down, dribbling down the left side, like he knew he had a teammate wide open to his right.
Messi sent a pass into the middle of the penalty area, and Lautaro Martinez elevated his left leg to strike the assist home in the 55th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday night at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
With the assist, Messi tied U.S. Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan for the most international assists in men’s soccer history. They each have 58 assists.
The 2026 World Cup qualifying match was also the final game for Messi in 2024, capping what he called “another unforgettable year.’
During the Copa America final against Colombia on July 14, Martinez’s goal in extra time secured the title with Messi injured on the bench.
On Tuesday night, Messi helped Martinez score his 35 national team goal to tie the great Diego Maradona for fifth place in Argentina history.
Messi hasn’t publicly committed to playing in the next World Cup, but he’s still eager as ever to play with the national team at this stage of his career.
Argentina has now won 65 of its last 70 games — after entering the match having lost two of its previous four games.
“Everyone wants to beat us. The Argentine national team is always the protagonist,” Martinez said after the game. “There are things to improve, but we have to continue on this path.”
What’s next for Messi?
Messi and Argentina won their second straight Copa America title this summer, cementing themselves as one of soccer’s greatest dynasties — their run highlighted by their victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Messi also had a historic season in Major League Soccer as an MVP finalist, leading Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield title and the best regular season in league history. However, Messi’s offseason is off to an early start, and he needs a new coach next season.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who also coached Messi with Argentina and FC Barcelona, resigned from his post due to personal reasons, a source told USA TODAY Sports earlier Tuesday.
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Inter Miami was eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, losing a best-of-three series to Atlanta United earlier this month. The postseason continues with the conference semifinals this weekend.
Messi scored only one goal over the first three MLS postseason games of his career, a disappointing mark after he notched two hat tricks in a week before the playoffs. Messi scored three goals with two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 win against Bolivia on Oct. 15, and had three goals and an assist in Inter Miami’s season finale on Oct. 19 to help Miami set the MLS points record (74).
It was clear Messi had returned to form after a two-month layoff due to the right ankle injury he suffered in the Copa America final. He scored only one goal and played in five of six games in the tournament, missing a match with a groin discomfort.
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While Messi was sidelined after Copa America, Inter Miami won eight of nine regular season games to seize first place in the MLS Eastern Conference. But the club was unable to defend its Leagues Cup title it won seven games after Messi’s arrival in July 2023. Inter Miami was eliminated by the Columbus Crew during the Leagues Cup round-of-16 this year. It was eliminated by LIGA MX powerhouse Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals earlier this year.
Messi finished the MLS season with 20 goals and 16 assists, leading the league with 36 goal contributions. He played in 19 of 34 MLS games this year.
Next year, Messi and Inter Miami will have a chance to compete for five trophies. They’ll participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup, Leagues Cup and compete again for the MLS Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup title.
Messi ended his year on a high note Tuesday with Argentina’s win. He entered the match on a personal three-game losing streak after Argentina lost 2-1 to Paraguay last week and Inter Miami dropped its final two games to Atlanta United.
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Argentina leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying rankings, and will likely maintain the No. 1 spot in the FIFA rankings, heading into next year when the club will likely clinch its spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Messi is on the last ride of his legendary career. He is under contract with Inter Miami through 2025. He’ll be 38 years old next June, and will turn 39 during the next World Cup.
Argentina vs. Peru highlights
Messi ties Landon Donovan for most international assists
Messi’s pass to Lautaro Martinez marked the 58th assist of his international career with Argentina, putting him in a tie with U.S. Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan for the most assists in men’s international soccer history.
Messi assists Lautaro Martinez goal: Argentina 1, Peru 0
Messi delivered the ball, and Lautaro Martinez did the rest, sending a flying left kick into the back of the net to give Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.
Martinez, Argentina’s leading scorer during Copa America, scored his second goal in as many games for the world champions. It was a stellar play by Messi to find Martinez open in front of the net, and Martinez delivered.
Messi gets free kicks before halftime: Argentina 0, Peru 0
We’re all tied at halftime. Messi lined up a free kick after Rodrigo De Paul was fouled, but his kick sailed to the right side of the net and was deflected by a Peruvian defender. One minute later, Messi had another free kick but Alexis Mac Allister headed it over the net.
Messi foul sets up free kick: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Messi was tripped up in the 36th minute, and sent his free kick into the box. But he was unable to connect with Alexis Mac Allister in front of the net.
Gonzalo Montiel missed an opportunity in front of the net a minute later.
Alexis Mac Allister misses header: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister missed a header in the 24th minute.
Julian Alvarez shot blocked: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Argentina had the numbers, but a shot by Julian Alvarez was blocked at the net in the 22nd minute.
Messi misses long shot, fouled after exciting dribbling: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Messi was high and wide on a shot in the 20th minute. He was also tripped up by Peru’s Alexander Callens after a series of dribbles that excited the Argentine crowd at La Bombonera in the 18th minute.
Gonzalo Montiel misses shot near net: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel had a close chance near the net, but was unable to convert in the 13th minute.
Nicolás Tagliafico misses shot over the net: Argentina 0, Peru 0
Argentina’s Nicolás Tagliafico sent a left boot over the net, ending a sequence created by Messi in the fourth minute.
Where to watch Argentina vs. Peru live stream
The match will be available on Telemundo, and can be live streamed via fuboTV and ViX.
What time is the Argentina vs. Peru match?
The match begins at 7 p.m. ET (7 p.m. in Peru, 8 p.m. in Argentina).
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is expected to start and captain Argentina against Peru.
Argentina vs. Peru starting lineups
Here are the starters for both clubs on Tuesday night:
Argentina vs. Peru betting odds
The odds are stacked in Argentina’s favor for Tuesday’s match vs. Peru.
Argentina is a -650 favorite to win, while Peru has +1600 odds in the match. A tie has +625 odds. The over/under is 2.5 goals, via BetMGM.
Messi’s Inter Miami coach steps down
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino resigned Tuesday, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the news.
The move is a sour ending to Martino’s run as Inter Miami coach after a historic season, during which the club won the MLS Supporters’ Shield but was bounced in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs earlier this month.
Messi is on a 3-game losing streak
Messi is riding a personal three-game losing streak: Argentina lost 2-1 to Paraguay last week, and Inter Miami dropped its final two games of its first-round series to Atlanta United in the MLS Cup playoffs earlier this month.
It’s just the third three-game skid of Messi’s career.
In April 2014, Messi and Barcelona lost the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid 1-0, a La Liga match against Granada 1-0, and the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid 2-1.
In April 2016, Messi and Barcelona lost a La Liga match against Real Sociedad 1-0, the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal to Atletico Madrid 2-0, and a La Liga match to Valencia 2-1.
Argentina’s run atop international soccer
Argentina would maintain the No. 1 FIFA ranking with a win vs. Peru on Tuesday night. It’s on an incredible run, winning 64 of its last 69 games.
Argentina leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying rankings, and will likely clinch its spot in the 2026 World Cup early next year.
MLS playoffs continue without Messi this weekend
Messi, however, was unable to help Inter Miami advance to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
The MLS postseason continues Saturday as New York City FC hosts the New York Red Bulls at 5:30 p.m. ET, then LAFC hosts Seattle Sounders FC at 10:30 p.m. ET
On Sunday, Orlando City SC hosts Atlanta United at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by the L.A. Galaxy hosting Minnesota United FC at 6 p.m. ET.
All four matches will be available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.