One of the greatest American footballers of all time, Donovan was matched in Argentina's victory over Peru.
Argentina recovered from an uncharacteristic run of poor form on Tuesday evening to squeeze past Peru thanks to a single goal from Lautaro Martínez.
That goal from Martínez puts him level with Diego Maradona in the all-time Argentina international goalscoring list. There was also a bit of history for the man who created that goal, Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
With the match goalless after 55 minutes, Messi received the ball 30 meters from goal and made his way to the left side of the Peruvian penalty area. Surrounded by three defenders, Messi managed to dig out a well-cut cross towards Martínez, who acrobatically volleyed the ball into the top corner.
That assist was Messi's 58th for Argentina, which equals the record for most assists in international men's football. He is tied with USMNT legend Landon Donovan.
Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?
When he finally lifted the trophy in 2022, Lionel Messi's World Cup career was thought to be over. He will be 39 by the time the next tournament kicks off in the US, Mexico and Canada, but Argentina's captain is now showing signs of disappearing from the international stage.
Ahead of Tuesday's match in Peru, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed he wants to renew the squad in 2025. However, Messi is not in danger.
Scaloni explained: “In Leo's case it is very different. Leo always plays, I would say that sometimes he needs to rest and that would be better. But we don't think beyond that. It is important that there is continuity.”
“Leo's year is the year of a player who has played a lot of matches, has been available a lot, who has had a Copa América in between. It's very difficult for him to be 100% and not have any physical problems, I think that's normal. He suffered an injury that disrupted his plans a bit, but overall he has always been good for us,” the Argentina head coach added.
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