Top 10 Players with Most Assists in Football History

In soccer, scoring goals is widely regarded as the most crucial aspect of the sport, as it is what distinguishes the two teams in a match and ultimately determines the winner of a fixture. However, there’s another element which is equally important as scoring a goal, which is providing ‘assists. The act of creating chances and assisting in soccer involves a final or direct pass that sets up an opportunity for the goal scorer, who subsequently puts the ball at the back of the net. 

Usually, any team’s most creative player is tasked with the duty to create chances, it can be an attacking midfielder (CAM), central midfielder, winger, centre-forward or even striker, who executes the creativity role for their teams. Providing an assist highlights the importance of teamwork and strategy in any team; the assist makers must possess great vision, strong technical play, high game intelligence, and exceptional passing ability. 

Most Assists in Football History – Top 10

In modern times, we have witnessed some of the greatest creative players in soccer, who have astonished fans with their brilliant skills and passes to find the goal scorers to register stunning assists — the likes of Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Andreas Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Neymar and Zinedine Zidane and so on. Now that we understand how pivotal the art of providing assists is in the sport, let us dive into the list of the top 10 players – who have recorded the most assists in football history. 

Rank	Player	Era	Club & Country	Total Assists	Goals Assisted per 90
10	Luís Figo	1990s–2000s	Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Portugal	275	N/A
9	Cristiano Ronaldo	2000s–2020s	Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr, Portugal	287	0.20
8	Luis Suárez	2000s–2020s	Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Uruguay	308	0.29
7	Ángel Di María	2000s–2020s	Real Madrid, PSG, Benfica, Argentina	309	0.35
6	Kevin De Bruyne	2010s–2020s	Manchester City, Belgium, Napoli	313	0.46
5	Thomas Müller	2000s–2020s	Bayern Munich, Germany	320	0.34
4	Johan Cruyff	1960s–1980s	Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands	358	N/A
3	Pelé	1950s–1970s	Santos, Brazil	369	N/A
2	Ferenc Puskás	1940s–1960s	Real Madrid, Hungary	404	N/A
1	Lionel Messi	2000s–2020s	Barcelona, Inter Miami, Argentina	424	0.34

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Top 10 Players with Most Assists in Soccer History

Below is the detailed list of players with the most assists in football history. The ranking is completely based on the number of assists each player has had made in their career (International + Club). However, some players like Pele, Puskas, and Cruyff have data that is not official, so those numbers must be taken as an approximation. Without wasting any further time, let’s jump on the list of football players with the most assists.

10. Luis Figo – 275 assists

The former Real Madrid and Portugal legend Luis Figo, renowned as one of the best forwards of his generation. Figo was exceptional during his time at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Sporting CP, and Portugal. His career served as a source of inspiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his debut for the national team under the guidance of Figo. The Portugal legend occupies 8th place on the list of most assist providers with 275 assists altogether. His numbers are enough to make him enter our list of top 10 players with most assists in football history.

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	784	275	44

9. Cristiano Ronaldo – 287 assists

The Portuguese phenomenon, Cristiano Ronaldo, is widely acclaimed as the greatest soccer player of all time. He is the most famous figure on this list, highly admired for his prolific goal-scoring and trophy-laden career, with five Ballon d’Or accolades. The forward currently holds the crown for scoring the most goals in the history of soccer. While playing for some of the most elite clubs in the world, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, and the Portugal national team he has racked up 895 goals. Ronaldo’s creative skills are often overlooked due to his exceptional goal-scoring characteristics. The Al-Nassr star has 287 career assists in his career putting him in the 9th spot on the rankings of most assists.

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	1015	287	45

8. Luis Suarez – 308 assists 

The Uruguayan serial goal scorer, Luis Suarez is among the best strikers of this generation courtesy of his clinical finishing and goal-scoring boots for Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax and Atletico Madrid. His stint with Catalan giants Barcelona was an immense success, winning numerous trophies, securing the European Golden Boot and finishing as La Liga’s top-scorer ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015, are South Americans’ major accomplishments. Notably, Suarez isn’t far behind in terms of creating direct chances for his teammates, providing 308 assists, and becoming the 8th player with the most assists in soccer history. His 308 assists are enough to show his creative skill and cement his 8th position as one of the players with most assists in football history.

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	969	308	39

7.  Angel Di Maria – 309 assists

Argentine superstar Angel Di Maria has guided his country to lift the Copa America 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022, by playing a key role. The winger stands in 9th place on the list of top assist providers in soccer. The winger has bagged a tally of 278 assists throughout his career playing for clubs such as Real Madrid, Benfica, and Paris Saint-Germain. The 36-year-old recently announced his retirement from international football but continues to display his creative brilliance in the Portuguese top tier with SL Benfica. 

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	953	309	32

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6.Kevin De Bruyne – 313 assists 

The Belgian ace midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, has swiftly established his stature as one of the best players in the modern day. He captains his club, Manchester City, and steers the Premier League club to clinch their first-ever UEFA Champions League and continental treble in the 2022-23 season, in addition to successive Premier League titles. On the list of most assists in soccer history, De Bruyne is in the 6th position, boasting 313 career assists. His exceptional vision and passing make him one of the best creative midfielders in history. 

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2010s–2020s	762	313	52

5. Thomas Muller – 320 assists 

Bayern Munich and German midfield maestro Thomas Muller is the most underrated player of this generation. He has devoted his club career to the Bavarians having played for Bayern Munich since 2000, when he was 11. Muller might not be the flashy player on the pitch but he has a phenomenal passing range and an eye for delivering accurate passes into the final third. The World Cup winner with Germany has amassed a staggering amount of 303 career assists, to carve his name on 5th as the most assists provider in soccer history. He sits at 5th position with 320 assists.

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	970	320	41

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4. Johan Cruyff – 358 assists

Johan Cruyff a legend for Barcelona and Ajax, is hailed as a sporting figure who revolutionized the game of soccer with his coaching tactics and distinct playing style. The Dutch icon enjoyed a successful career as a player three Ballon d’Or awards, and as the head coach, led Barcelona to greater pinnacles, winning multiple titles and trophies with the Catalan club. Apart from Cruyff’s off-pitch contributions, he is equally remembered for his dazzling skills and intelligence, because of which the forward had collected 358 assists to his name, cementing his reputation as one of the best players of all time.

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
1960s–1980s	720	358	28

3. Pele – 369 assists

Edson Arantes do Nascimento famously known as Pele’ is widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time. The Brazilian legend is largely credited with popularising the sport across the globe, in the times when there was no internet or social media. The Brazilian hero was a complete forward possessing speed, dribbling, and skills coupled with creative play and the ability to score bunches of goals. An icon of the sport, he led his country, brazil to lift a record three World Cup titles and concluded his career as the country’s all-time top scorer, while securing third place on this list with a staggering 369 assists. 

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
1950s–1970s	1363*	369	NA

2. Ferenc Puskas 404 assists

At first position in the elite list of most assist providers is Ferenc Puskas – the former Real Madrid and Hungarian legend was another icon of the game. FIFA’s Puskas award for the best goal every year is given in memory of the legendary forward. Puskas won three European championships with Los Blancos, one of the greatest of his time. The forward has 404 career assists to his name, the most by any player in history — truly a marvellous exploit. Additionally, the legendary attacker had scored over 700 goals in his career while making nearly 793 appearances. 

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
1940s–1960s	793*	404	NA

1. Lionel Messi – 424 assists

A player who needs no introduction, Barcelona and Argentine icon Lionel Messi, his creative play and incredible dribbling to skip past defenders and accurate passes are just spellbinding for fans. The forward has won every possible trophies and individual accolades with a record of eight Ballon Dor awards. Messi stands tall as the second player with the most goals in soccer, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. However, when it comes to giving assists, the Inter Miami skipper has 424 assists to his name. As a result, the forward is the second-most assist collector in soccer. 

Era	Total Matches	Total Assists	Total International Assists
2000s–2020s	1127	424	61

Who has the Most Assists in Football History

Messi has the record for the most assists in football history with 424 assists in 1,127 matches. Now playing for Inter Miami, Messi enjoyed a glorious 20-year career with FC Barcelona where he maintained an assist rate of 0.35 per 90 minutes. Out of his total assists, he made 61 for Argentina. He is known for his astonishing vision and dribbling skills alongside his precise passing which complement his record of eight Ballon d’Or awards as well as a World Cup title. Messi’s playmaking has consistently surpassed his teammates for goals throughout his career. He has alsp surpassed Ferenc Puskás’ record of 404 assists. In addition to assists, he has scored over 800 goals, being one of the greatest players in football history.

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