When arguing about soccer players with the most assists in the history of football, you probably wouldn’t expect a few of them to have played as strikers at some point during their careers, as scoring goals is seemingly more of a priority to win the games.
However, assists are always underrated and often receive less applause than goals.
The ability to build up and create a goal opportunity for certain players is what makes the job easy for the scorer.
A look at the most assists providers brings up a list of some sensational footballers, who have mesmerized the fans with their eye for the killer pass and unselfish style of play.
- Players With The Most Assists In Football History
- 1. Ferenc Puskás – 405 Assists
- 2. Lionel Messi – 393 Assists
- 3. Pele – 355 Assists
- 4. Johann Cruyff (358 Assists)
- 5. Thomas Muller – 305 Assists
- 6. Luis Suarez – 290 Assists
- 7. De Bruyne -285 Assists
- 8. Luis Figo – 283 Assists
- 9. Cristiano Ronaldo – 272 Assists
- 10. Mesut Ozil – 267 Assists
- 11. Angel Di Maria – 280 Assists
- 12. Dusan Tadic – 268 Assists
- 13. Ryan Giggs – 258 Assists
- 14. David Beckham – 259 Assists
- 15. Cesc Fabregas – 253 Assists
- 16. Xavi – 237 Assists
- 17. Franck Ribery – 249 Assists
- Most Assists In Football History – Key Numbers
Players With The Most Assists In Football History
These stats were gathered from the transfer market, and Opta stats, all records are valid as of August 25, 2023.
Like many other football statistics out there, it’s hard to come up with complete stats without error or biased statements, given the fact that statistics only started being recorded in these latter years of the sport (Modern Era ).
A large group of former footballers, therefore, sadly will never have their goals, assists, clean sheets, and the like on record, simply because the technology and documentation weren’t around in the very early stages of the beautiful game.
Perhaps it didn’t even matter back then, but it certainly does now, with modern-day football very much a game of numbers.
Just like their contemporary, here are some former legends who would more than likely be top assists makers in their time, with an estimated figure.
- Ferenc Puskás
- Pele
- Johan Cruyff
- Luis Figo
1. Ferenc Puskás – 405 Assists
A renowned soccer icon, left a solid footprint mark on the game with his remarkable career achievements.
Throughout his career, he participated in an impressive total of 718 games, accumulating a staggering 64,095 minutes of on-field action.
Proving his scoring prowess, Puskás netted a mouth-watering 708 goals, proving his ability to consistently find the back of the net.
Notably, his proficiency extended to penalty kicks, where he expertly converted 90 spot-kicks.
Puskás’s impact on the game was not limited to scoring alone; he also contributed significantly to his teammates’ success, amassing an impressive tally of 405 assists.
These facts and stats provided by a Hungarian tabloid put more light on his undervalued and exceptional playmaking abilities and solidify his position as one of football’s most revered figures.
2. Lionel Messi – 393 Assists
You all might be thinking from the start who has the most assists in football history in the modern era? Well here is your answer; it’s none other than Lionel Messi. Was there ever any doubt though?
The numbers speak for themselves. Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the best player on the planet. He took the world by storm ever since he made his Barcelona debut as a teenager. Lionel Messi started his career with Barcelona and has been a Barcelona player ever since.
The loyalty factor that we don’t often see in football these days.
His magical foot has been adored for many years now, with fans – both young and old – well aware of just how talented the Argentinian really is.
Whether it be dribbling in and out of defences and supplying a subtle pass, lofting a delicate through ball over the top, heading it towards a fellow forward, or whipping a cross into the box, there isn’t anything Messi cannot do when it comes to creating chances.
The 7-time Balon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has registered a whopping 393 assists over the course of his career for both the club and country.
3. Pele – 355 Assists
An iconic figure in the world of soccer, boasts an impressive career record that reflects his exceptional contributions on the field.
With a combined total of 1111 goals and assists, he maintained an impressive average of 1.40 goal involvements per 90 minutes played.
Within this tally, Pele’s goal-scoring ability shines through with an awe-inspiring 756 goals to his name.
His ability to find the back of the net set him apart as one of the greatest goal-scorers in history.
Equally notable is his skill as a playmaker, as evidenced by his 355 assists.
Pele’s legacy as a true soccer legend is undoubtedly cemented by these remarkable numbers
4. Johann Cruyff (358 Assists)
Johan Cruyff emerges as a towering figure among soccer’s most illustrious icons, commended not just as an extraordinary player but also as an exceptional manager.
His legacy has garnered him acknowledgement as arguably the most influential figure in modern football.
Throughout his playing career, Cruyff’s mastery earned him the prestigious Ballon d’Or award on three occasions – in 1971, 1973, and 1974 – firmly establishing his position among the sport’s premier talents. His career has over 720 official matches, highlighted by an impressive tally of 403 goals that proved his unparalleled prowess on the field.
Cruyff’s profound impact stretched beyond his goal-scoring exploits. Having an impressive record of 358 assists, he secures the fourth spot on the all-time assists chart as of now.
5. Thomas Muller – 305 Assists
Bayern Munich’s creative engine, Thomas Muller is second on the list with 308 career assists. The diminutive player should still receive plenty of praise for his contributions and the German has racked up a staggering tally.
And that includes 22 assists this season alone, with 19 of them coming in 26 Bundesliga appearances. Now a new generation of stars is coming up at the Allianz Arena, but Muller’s place in the team remains unthreatened thanks to his infallible nature on the pitch.
The 32-year-old continues to play an important role for his side with the ability to play in a number of positions at the top end of the pitch.
6. Luis Suarez – 290 Assists
Luis Suarez is arguably one of the best strikers of this decade and alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar at Barcelona, he formed football’s most lethal front three. The clinical forward has been a menace for defenders all over Europe, with his deadly finishing often single-handedly finishing off games in the blink of an eye.
But it is not just his phenomenal goalscoring record that has led him to some of the top teams in Europe, but his selflessness in the final third.
The Uruguayan is one of the top 10 players with the most assists. The striker started his career at Club Nacional de Football in 2005. He was then signed by AFC Ajax in 2007. Liverpool signed Luis Suarez from AFC Ajax in 2011 before joining Barcelona in 2014. Luis Suarez currently plays for Atletico de Madrid.
Suarez had a remarkable career with Barcelona and Liverpool.
He managed to register a whopping 290 assists over the course of his career with both the club and country. He is easily one of the most ‘complete’ forwards of modern football, and some even say he is not been given the appreciation he deserves.
7. De Bruyne -285 Assists
On number 7 of the top 10 footballers with the most assists of all time, we have Manchester City’s talisman Kevin de Bruyne.
The Belgian has taken over the Premier League as a player-maker ever since he arrived at the Etihad. During the 2019/20 season, Kevin de Bruyne provided 20 assists in the Premier League, equalling the record for most assists in a single Premier League season, previously held by Thierry Henry.
The attacking midfielder has registered 216 assists throughout his career with Genk, Wolfsburg, Chelsea FC, and Manchester City. Kevin de Bruyne has also scored 100 goals throughout his career with various clubs.
The Belgian international is currently among the best Premier League players.
READ ALSO | 10 Of The Greatest Attacking Trios Of All Time
8. Luis Figo – 283 Assists
Renowned for his unparalleled ingenuity and skill in outmanoeuvring defenders along the flanks, Figo is hailed as one of the most remarkable wingers to have ever graced the beautiful game.
His impressive count of 106 assists stands as the second-highest in the records of La Liga history, trailing only the exceptional record held by Lionel Messi.
Figo’s abilities and contributions gained well-deserved recognition as he secured the Ballon d’Or award in 2000. This was followed by being awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001..
9. Cristiano Ronaldo – 272 Assists
One of the greatest players to ever step foot on the pitch, the Manchester United & Real Madrid great, Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most complete forward in football history.
Ronaldo falls far behind Messi in the all-time assists table but either way, a total of 272 is still impressive for the Portuguese forward as he finds himself fourth on this list after playing for four different clubs throughout his career.
Ronaldo’s set-piece ability may have dwindled slightly over the decades, but it still remains at the very highest level, such was his expertise over a dead ball.
The former Old Lady player certainly supplied his teammates at Juventus with more than enough opportunities in recent years, but it is at Real Madrid where his incredible assists came to the fore.
Ronaldo has left an indelible impression wherever he has been and, as previously mentioned, his contribution in the final third for Manchester United in the just-concluded season is by no means a fluke.
Even at the age of 35 years, Ronaldo continues to be the best player in the world. The 5-time Balon d’Or winner has racked up lots of personal accolades throughout his career and continues to break records.
10. Mesut Ozil – 267 Assists
Mesut Ozil is easily one of the best playmakers of this generation and among footballers with the most assists without any doubt. The German international started his career with FC Schalke in 2003.
He was then transferred to SV Werder Bremen in 2008 before joining Real Madrid in 2010. Ozil excelled with Real Madrid but he was forced to call it a day on his career at Real Madrid due to some horrific top-level management decisions. After 3 seasons at Madrid, Mesut Ozil was sold to Arsenal in 2013.
The 31-year-old has racked up 267 assists throughout his career. He may not be in his prime at Arsenal anymore, yet there is no doubt he had a stellar career overall. A World Cup winner with Germany, Mesut Ozil is one of the best-attacking midfielders of this century with an assist rate of 0.39.
He is also ranked in the top 3 players with the most assists in the Premier League.
11. Angel Di Maria – 280 Assists
The Argentinian International, di Maria has been an exceptional player and play-maker for any club he has played with. Di Maria was probably Real Madrid’s best player in the 2013/14 season.
He was then sold to Manchester United where he did not excel much but still managed to rack up 11 assists in 27 games for Manchester United.
Angel di Maria found his rhythm back alongside the world’s finest players at PSG. He also scored 8 goals and registered 14 assists this season in Ligue 1 for the French champions.
12. Dusan Tadic – 268 Assists
An unexpected contender on the list is Dusan Tadic, the Serbian playmaker, who has delivered an impressive tally of 268 assists in his ongoing career.
He embarked on his journey in his native country before making his mark in the Dutch league, representing both Groningen and FC Twente.
Tadic enjoyed a fruitful period in the Premier League while playing for Southampton, followed by a return to the Netherlands to join the ranks of Ajax. His impact on the Serbian national team has been substantial as well, as he boasts an impressive record of 37 assists for his country.
13. Ryan Giggs – 258 Assists
It was almost inevitable that the Welsh midfielder, Ryan Giggs, would secure a spot on the list of soccer players with the most assists
His illustrious career spanned nearly twenty-five years.
Giggs’s journey started with Manchester United in 1990, a remarkable two full seasons before the establishment of the Premier League.
His remarkable tenure yielded an impressive haul of 13 titles and 34 honours. Throughout his extensive repertoire of nearly 1,000 matches, he orchestrated 251 assists on the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford.
Notably, while representing his nation, he also notched seven assists.
14. David Beckham – 259 Assists
David Beckham’s exceptional vision and passing abilities undoubtedly contributed to his impressive record of assists throughout his career.
With a total of 214 assists in 718 club games and 42 assists in 115 international appearances, his impact on the field is evident.
His time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and PSG showcased his consistent ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Also his 17 goals for England further demonstrate his versatility and contribution to the game
15. Cesc Fabregas – 253 Assists
Another product of La Masia Academy, Fabregas is a name that needs no introduction. Fabregas is arguably one of the best playmakers of all time. He has represented clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea in his career.
The Spanish international and a World Cup winner, Fabregas has stacked up more than 10 assists in 9 seasons and registered 19 assists in a single season for Chelsea which won the Premier League in the 2014/15 season.
Fabregas was also the player who assisted Andreas Iniesta in scoring the winning goal in the World Cup Final for Spain.
16. Xavi – 237 Assists
One of the best central midfielders of this century, Xavi is a living legend of Barcelona. A product of La Masia Academy, Xavi started his career with Barcelona and played 700 games with them since his joining. Xavi is currently the coach of FC Barcelona.
The Spanish international racked up 230 assists in his career. He also registered a record number of assists for Barcelona in the 2008/2009 season. With 22 assists in that season, he still holds the record that hasn’t been broken till now. He also helped Spain win its first FIFA World Cup ever in 2010.
Xavi also received the IFHSS World Best Play-maker award 4 times- in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
17. Franck Ribery – 249 Assists
Franck Ribery is notoriously famous for nutmegging defenders and sending them tumbling with his left foot.
The former French international started his career with French club Boulogne before joining Bayern Munich in 2007 and spending the next 12 years of his career with them. Franck Ribery currently plays for Fiorentina.
The 37-year-old stacked up 224 assists till now in his career and has continued to play football at the highest level. Ribery formed a partnership with Arjen Robben and dominated Europe for a while in the past decade.
Most Assists In Football History – Key Numbers
21 – Lionel Messi (La Liga) and Thomas Muller (Bundesliga) both etched their names in the annals of history by achieving a record number of assists within a single season in their respective leagues, setting an unmatched standard of excellence.
42 – Cristiano Ronaldo left a solid footprint on the history of the Champions League with an awesome 42 assists, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of the tournament’s records.
8 – Pele’s World Cup legacy is highlighted by his unmatched tally of 8 assists, establishing him as the foremost assists king in World Cup
8 – Karel Poborsky elegantly secured his place in the history of the European Championship with an unmatched count of 8 assists.
162 – Ryan Giggs orchestrated a remarkable 162 assists in the Premier League, an achievement that stands uncontested in the league. However, Kevin de Bruyne’s consistent performance hints at the potential to surpass this record if he continues his average of 13 assists per season until 2027.
2017/18 – The 2017/18 season marked a major shift as the Premier League introduced the Playmaker of the Season award, a fact to the player who amassed the highest number of assists during the campaign.
17 – Lionel Messi’s artistry on display in the Copa America resulted in a superb 17 assists, erecting brilliance in the history of the competition.
9 – James Milner of Liverpool orchestrated a brilliant 9 assists during the 2017/18 Champions League season, etching an unprecedented record for the most assists in a single season within in UCL.
FAQs.
Who has the most assists in soccer history?
Ferenc Puskás – 405 Assists
Who has the most assists in Premier League history?
Ryan Giggs 162..
Which defender has the most assists in Premier League history?
Andrew Robertson..
The Liverpool defender now holds the record for most assists by a defender in the history of the Premier League.
Which goalkeeper has the most assists in football history?
In the past 30 years, only three – Paul Robinson (five), Pepe Reina (four), and David Seaman (four) – have assisted more times than Alisson, who is level with Mark Crossley, Tim Howard, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Peter Schmeichel.
