Who has the most assists in football history? Top 20 players with the highest number

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Ever wondered who has the most assists in football history? From legendary names like Lionel Messi to Ferenc Puskás, these playmakers have carved their legacies by assisting and scoring countless goals. Discover the top players with the highest number of assists throughout their careers.

Ferenc Puskás (L), Lionel Messi (C), Christiano Ronaldo (R)

To compile the list of the most assists in football history, historical records, official statistics, and recognised football databases were undertaken. We used data from reliable sources such as FIFA, UEFA, Opta Sports, and Transfermarkt. It is worth noting that these are the figures at the time of writing, with many of the players in this list still at the top of their game.

A soccer assist is a pass that leads directly to a goal. FIFA first recorded this metric in 1994, and it's now become one of the most commonly used stats in the global game. Below is a list of the most assists in soccer history.

Rank	Player	Number of assists
1	Ferenc Puskás	404
2	Lionel Messi	400
3	Pelé	369
4	Johan Cruyff	358
5	Thomas Müller	303
6	Luis Figo	283
7	Kevin De Bruyne	286
8	Luis Suárez	277
9	Ryan Giggs	277
10	Cristiano Ronaldo	273
11	Ángel Di María	264
12	Mesut Özil	258
13	David Beckham	256
14	Franck Ribéry	256
15	Cesc Fàbregas	253
16	Neymar Jr.	244
17	Xavi Hernández	242
18	Zlatan Ibrahimović	227
19	David Silva	225
20	Karim Benzema	211

1. Ferenc Puskás – 404

Ferenc Puskás in training at Craven Cottage, the Fulham FC ground

Full name: Ferenc Purczeld Biró
Date of birth: 2 April 1927
Place of birth: Budapest, Hungary
Age (deceased): Passed away on 17 November 2006, aged 79

Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian footballer known for his exceptional scoring ability and creative playmaking. Puskás was a pivotal figure for both Budapest Honvéd and Real Madrid. The footballer's assists record is impressive because of his remarkable vision, which complemented his ability to score 700+ goals.

2. Lionel Messi – 400

Lionel Messi reacts after a play between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club

Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth: 24 June 1987
Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
Age: 37 years old (as of October 2024)

Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest footballers in history, renowned for his dribbling, playmaking, and goal-scoring. He spent 17 years at Barcelona, setting records for the most goals (672) and assists (305) in club history. Lionel Messi has won 8 Ballon d'Or titles, 35 trophies at Barcelona, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

3. Pelé – 369

Pelé standing on the field in a New York Cosmos uniform

Full name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento
Date of birth: 23 October 1940
Place of birth: Três Corações, Brazil
Age (deceased): Passed away on 29 December 2022

Pelé is a Brazilian football icon known for his scoring prowess, over 1,000 career goals, and his vision on the pitch, leading to an outstanding 369 assists. Playing primarily for Santos, Pelé won multiple league titles, two Copa Libertadores, and three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970).

4. Johan Cruyff – 358

The late Barcelona player Johan Cruyff posing

Full name: Hendrik Johannes Cruijff
Date of birth: 25 April 1947
Place of birth: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Age (deceased): Passed away on 24 March 2016

Johan Cruyff revolutionised football both as a player and manager. Known for his role in developing “Total Football,” Cruyff was an outstanding playmaker for Ajax and Barcelona, contributing 358 assists in his career. He won multiple league titles and European Cups and was named European Footballer of the Year three times.

5. Thomas Müller – 303

Full name: Thomas Müller
Date of birth: 13 September 1989
Place of birth: Weilheim, Germany
Age: 35 years old (as of October 2024)

Thomas Müller is renowned for his unique playing style, often called a "Raumdeuter" or "space interpreter." His vision and positioning have made him one of the most consistent playmakers, with 303 assists for Bayern Munich and Germany. Müller has won multiple Bundesliga titles, Champions League trophies, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany.

6. Luis Figo – 283

Luis Figo celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Sampdoria

Full name: Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo
Date of birth: 4 November 1972
Place of birth: Almada, Portugal
Age: 51 years old (as of October 2024)

Luis Figo was one of Portugal's greatest footballers, known for his dribbling and passing ability. Figo played for top clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, and accumulated 283 assists throughout his career.

7. Kevin De Bruyne – 286

Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
Date of birth: 28 June 1991
Place of birth: Drongen, Belgium
Age: 33 years old (as of October 2024)

Kevin De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, renowned for his exceptional vision and precision passing. He has been pivotal for Manchester City, helping the team win multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League. De Bruyne’s creativity has led to 286 assists and consistently ranked among the top assist providers in Europe.

8. Luis Suárez – 277

Luis Suárez celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the match between Gremio and Vasco Da Gama

Full name: Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz
Date of birth: 24 January 1987
Place of birth: Salto, Uruguay
Age: 37 years old (as of October 2024)

Luis Suárez, known for his tenacity and goal-scoring ability, has also provided 277 assists throughout his career. Playing for clubs like Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid, Suárez won numerous league titles and a Champions League.

9. Ryan Giggs – 277

Ryan Giggs pumps his fist to the fans during a match

Full name: Ryan Joseph Giggs
Date of birth: 29 November 1973
Place of birth: Cardiff, Wales
Team: Manchester United

Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most assists in Premier League history. A one-club man, Giggs spent his entire career at Manchester United, where he won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo – 273

Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: 5 February 1985
Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Age: 39 years old (as of October 2024)

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers in history, known for his scoring and playmaking. With 273 assists and over 800 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards and multiple league titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr.

11. Ángel Di María – 264

Ángel Di María celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Supercopa de Portugal Final

Full name: Ángel Fabián Di María
Date of birth: 14 February 1988
Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
Age: 36 years old (as of October 2024)

Ángel Di María is known for his speed, dribbling, and exceptional crossing ability. Over his career, he has played for top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, and now Benfica. Di María has won multiple league titles and a Champions League title with Real Madrid. He was pivotal in Argentina’s Copa América 2021 and 2022 World Cup victories.

12. Mesut Özil – 258

Full name: Mesut Özil
Date of birth: 15 October 1988
Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Age: 36 years old (as of October 2024)

Mesut Özil was renowned for his vision, passing, and creativity in midfield. He was a key player for Real Madrid, where he won a La Liga title, and Arsenal, where he lifted multiple FA Cups. Özil also helped Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

13. David Beckham – 256

David Beckham celebrates after scoring the third goal in the 1996 FA Charity Shield

Full name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Date of birth: 2 May 1975
Place of birth: London, England
Age: 49 years old (as of October 2024)

David Beckham is a global football icon known for his exceptional crossing and free-kick ability. Beckham spent his career at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and PSG. He has won numerous titles, including six Premier League trophies and a Champions League. His 256 assists highlight his precision on the ball.

14. Franck Ribéry – 256

Franck Ribéry looks on before the Serie A match between Ac Milan and ACF Fiorentina

Full name: Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry
Date of birth: 7 April 1983
Place of birth: Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Age: 41 years old (as of October 2024)

Franck Ribéry was a crucial figure for Bayern Munich, where his dribbling, speed, and crossing made him one of the best wingers of his generation. The football player won multiple Bundesliga titles and a Champions League title with Bayern. Ribéry's 256 assists underline his consistent ability to create chances, which made him a key figure in Bayern’s dominance during the 2010s.

15. Cesc Fàbregas – 253

Full name: Francesc Fàbregas Soler
Date of birth: 4 May 1987
Place of birth: Arenys de Mar, Spain
Age: 37 years old (as of October 2024)

Cesc Fàbregas was one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation. He was influential for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea, winning league titles in England and Spain, a World Cup, and two European Championships with Spain. His 253 assists are a testament to his consistent ability to control games and create scoring opportunities.

16. Neymar Jr. – 244

Neymar Jr. looks on during the match between Al-Hilal and Riyadh at Prince Faisal Bin Fahad

Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Date of birth: 5 February 1992
Place of birth: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Age: 32 years old (as of October 2024)

Over his career at Santos, Barcelona, PSG, and Al-Hilal, Neymar has won numerous league titles and a Champions League with Barcelona. His 244 assists reflect his vision and ability to break down defences with dribbling and passing. Neymar has also been a key figure for Brazil, winning a Copa América and Olympic gold medal.

17. Xavi Hernández – 242

Xavi Hernández looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC

Full name: Xavier Hernández Creus
Date of birth: 25 January 1980
Place of birth: Terrassa, Spain
Age: 44 years old (as of October 2024)

Xavi Hernández is regarded as one of the greatest football players ever. He spent most of his career at Barcelona, winning numerous La Liga and Champions League titles. Xavi was also instrumental in Spain's dominance, helping the national team win the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships.

18. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 227

Full name: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Date of birth: 3 October 1981
Place of birth: Malmö, Sweden
Age: 43 years old (as of October 2024)

Zlatan Ibrahimović has also accumulated 227 assists throughout his career. Ibrahimović played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan.

19. David Silva – 225

David Silva celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the Barclays Premier League

Full name: David Josué Jiménez Silva
Date of birth: 8 January 1986
Place of birth: Arguineguín, Spain
Age: 38 years old (as of October 2024)

David Silva was one of his generation's most consistent and creative midfielders. Silva registered 225 assists throughout his career and was instrumental in Spain’s 2010 World Cup and two European Championship victories.

20. Karim Benzema – 201

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship

Full name: Karim Mostafa Benzema
Date of birth: 19 December 1987
Place of birth: Lyon, France
Age: 36 years old (as of October 2024)

Karim Benzema's 201 assists demonstrate his ability to contribute as a goal scorer and a creator for his teammates. He is known for his technical ability, vision, and intelligence in the final third. He played most of his career at Real Madrid, winning numerous La Liga and five Champions League titles.

Who has the highest assist between Messi and Ronaldo?

Lionel Messi holds the record for most assists over Cristiano Ronaldo. As of 2024, Messi has recorded 400 career assists, while Ronaldo has 273. Messi’s superior playmaking ability, especially during his time at Barcelona, has earned him recognition as one of the best at providing crucial passes.

Who assisted Ronaldo the most?

Karim Benzema is the player who has provided the most assistance to Cristiano Ronaldo. During their time together at Real Madrid, Benzema assisted Ronaldo 47 times across various competitions, forming a highly effective partnership.

These players hold the record for the most assists in football history, highlighting their exceptional skills and passion for the game. From Lionel Messi’s consistent brilliance to the visionary genius of Ferenc Puskás, these players have elevated the art of creating goals. Their contributions underscore the importance of teamwork and creativity in football.

Legit.ng recently published an exciting post about the best Muslim football players in the world. Many Muslim football players have been contributing to the sporting industry for a long time.

Football is one of the most captivating sports in the world and includes players from all nationalities, races, and religions. Numerous Muslim players have risen to the pinnacle of football over the years. Read on to discover some of the best Muslim football players worldwide.

Source: Legit.ng

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