38-year-old Messi approaches 900 goals and 400 assists legendary milestone

When the spotlight of the football world gradually shifts to the new generation, the 38-year-old Messi announced with a precise shot that the legend is still continuing. In the Miami International 3-1 Lexi Seattle Bayer game on September 17, 2025, the Argentine superstar once again contributed a pass and shot, pushing his career total to an astonishing height of 880 goals and 390 assists. The veteran is only 20 goals and 10 assists away from the epic milestone of "900+400 ".

This contest at Miami home court witnessed the performance of the most stable outputer in football history. In the 15th minute of the game, Messi lightly removed the high-altitude ball from the top of the penalty area, adjusted calmly against the three-person double-team, and used his signature left foot to penetrate the opponent's goal. 17 minutes later, he accurately plugged the ball into the defense and assisted his teammates to score. The 91% pass success rate and 4 key passes throughout the game reveal that the veteran still maintains top-level game control.

From his debut in La Liga on October 16, 2004, Messi has built the most lasting peak in football history in 21 seasons. In 1122 professional games, he maintained a terrifying efficiency of 0.78 goals per game, and his assist data reached an astonishing frequency of creating one goal in every 3 games. These two data are phenomenal in any era. What is even more shocking is that under the reference system of the average retirement age of 32 in professional football, 38-year-old Messi is still breaking his upper limit.

The American League has become the perfect stage for Messi to continue his legend. During his two years of joining Miami International, he not only helped the team win the North American League Cup and regular season championships, but also proved that he is still the most decisive player in world football with gorgeous data of 67 goals and 41 assists in 92 games. Head coach Martino's tactical system fully utilizes Messi's organizational talent. Through the libero positioning in the frontcourt, his passing vision and shooting feel perfectly integrated.

The current digital password in front of Messi is full of symbolism: the distance is 20 goals away from the 900 goal mark, and 400 assists can be achieved in just 10 times. Based on the efficiency of participating in 1.2 goals per game this season, the Argentine superstar is likely to complete a double milestone in early 2026. What is more worth looking forward to is that Miami International is actively promoting contract renewal negotiations. If the two-year new contract is successfully signed, Messi is completely likely to impact the ultimate honor of "Mr. Thousand Balls".

When people are used to using "the god down the mountain" to describe veterans, Messi's sunset journey in Miami has taken an ascending curve. His game wisdom becomes more pure, his handling in front of the penalty area becomes more concise and efficient, and his control over the rhythm of the game reaches its level of perfection. This excellence, which lasts for 21 years, is not only based on extraordinary talent, but also comes from almost harsh professional self-discipline - the habit of arriving at the training ground at the earliest every day, the unshakable recovery process, and the ultimate requirement for dietary management.

Standing at dusk in his career, Messi's touch is writing a new legendary footnote. When the milestone of 900 goals and 400 assists is close, and when the label of "38-year-old veteran" forms a wonderful contrast with the peak data, we may be witnessing the greatest evergreen miracle in football history. As he said in a post-match interview: "As long as you can still enjoy football, the numbers will naturally come." This calmness of lifting weight is exactly the best annotation of the great legend.