Messi closes in on Puskas record with 400th career assist

Lionel Messi became the only active footballer to reach 400 career assists for club and country, closing in on Ferenc Puskas' all-time record, as Inter Miami thrashed Nashville SC 4-0 in the MLS Cup playoffs on Saturday night in Florida.

The 38-year-old scored twice and set up Tadeo Allende's second goal, which marked the landmark assist -- refers to the final pass or touch leading directly to a goal. Messi is now just four shy of Hungarian legend Puskas' record.

In total, Messi's assists span Barcelona (269), Argentina (60), Paris Saint-Germain (34), and Inter Miami (37).

The Argentine playmaker has been directly involved in all eight of Miami's playoff goals this season -- five scored, three assisted -- as the club reached the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in its history.

Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati on November 22, with Messi aiming to continue his record chase and guide his side closer to an MLS Cup crown.