PSG superstar Lionel Messi sets incredible 2022-23 season record with assist in 2-1 Auxerre win
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi registered his 20th goal and 20th assist in all competitions this season, making him the only player across Europe's top five leagues to achieve the feat.
Messi grabbed an assist for Kylian Mbappe's eighth-minute strike which helped the team secure a 2-1 victory on Sunday, May 21. The win moves PSG to 84 points after 36 games, giving them a six-point lead over second-placed side Lens with two games left to play.
While it was an impressive away victory for Christophe Galtier's side against Auxerre, Messi once again proved his worth as one of the greatest players of all time. The Argentine took his overall goal and assists tally for the season to 40, putting him just behind Mbappe (48).
Messi has scored 20 goals across all competitions for Les Parisiens this season, with 15 coming in the Ligue 1, one in the Trophee des Champions, and four in the UEFA Champions League.
The 35-year-old also showed his playing-making abilities for PSG this campaign by adding an incredible 20 assists to his tally, with 16 coming in Ligue 1 and four in the Champions League.
His performance against Auxerre also ticked another huge milestone in the career of the veteran forward as he has now registered a combined total of 300 assists in his club career.
Despite his already impressive stats for Paris Saint-Germain this season, there still seems a huge cloud of uncertainty surrounding Messi's Parc des Princes future.
It is widely believed that the former Barcelona winger is expected to leave PSG this summer when his current contract with the French club expires at the end of the 2022-23 season.
PSG captain urges fans to stop booing teammate Lionel Messi
Brazilian defender Marquinhos has come to the defense of Parin Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi following a series of harsh attacks from fans this season.
Messi has been the subject of boos from PSG fans on multiple occasions this season, a gesture that has been deemed appalling for a player of his caliber and status.
Ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with Auxerre, PSG captain Marquinhos urged fans to quit booing the Argentine. He said (L'Equipe):
"I always respect protests when they are peaceful, at the times and places where it is necessary. Above all, I ask the supporters not to target one player or another. It must always be collective. A player doesn't walk on his own, he's not going to do anything on his own."