Football’s best passers show extraordinary precision and accuracy, indispensable qualities that elevate them to the esteemed title of “kings of passes.”
These players shine by swiftly maneuvering the ball through the opposition’s defenses, strategically positioning it for crucial shots on goal.
Despite the growing emphasis on physicality in football, the art of passing remains paramount, with world-class passers becoming even more valuable in the era of increased physical fitness and high pressing.
Scoring on your own by crossing the whole field without help is tough. To move the ball smoothly and avoid opponents, a team needs players who can pass accurately.
Lately, more teams prefer a free-flowing style, passing from the back and weaving the ball forward with intricate passes. Good passers, especially in midfield, are crucial because that’s often where the action is.
Their ability to sustain pressure and break through opponents’ defense makes them an invaluable commodity.
To assess and rank the best passers in soccer, important metrics include recorded assists, key passes, completed passes, pass completion rate, progressive passing distance, pass types, vision, as well as proficiency in short and long passes.
- 1. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- 2. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
- 3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- 4. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- 5. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
- 6. Dani Parejo (Villarreal)
- 7. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
- 8. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
- 9. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- 10. Rodri (Manchester City)
1. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Vision: 97
Crossing: 95
Short passing: 94
Long passing: 95
Kevin De Bruyne’s claim to this position might even appease the staunchest Messi and Modric fans—just a little.
The Manchester City star has solidified his name into football history with 237 assists in 587 club career games, coupled with another 49 in 99 appearances for Belgium. What makes De Bruyne different is his exceptional key passes per 90 minutes, an area where he holds a strong upper hand over even Messi.
Over the last eight years, De Bruyne’s impact on Manchester City has been nothing short of extraordinary.
His all-around game is a spectacle, not just because of the quality of his playmaking. In the most recent season, he notched up 16 assists in 28 starts, earning him the top-assister title.
While his completed passes might seem relatively modest at 1,192, an impressive 246 of them are progressive, having the highest average at 8.5 per match among his fellow midfielders.
De Bruyne’s unique ability to excel in deadball situations or during transitions is complemented by his comfort in passing with both feet. This versatility opens up a broader range of possibilities when presenting opportunities to teammates.
His knack for the spectacular pass that leaves defenders in the dust and dazzles the crowd has led to double figures in assists for five of the past seven seasons.
While De Bruyne may not have the best pass completion rates, it’s because he’s not on the pitch to play it safe.
He’s there to make the game-changing pass, the one that bewilders the center-back delights the crowd, and clutch in a goal.
In that regard—the most important aspect of passing—De Bruyne stands as the best in football.
2. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Vision: 89
Crossing: 88
Short passing: 92
Long passing: 92
It comes as no surprise that Toni Kroos is hailed as a maestro of premeditated, precise passing, considering his illustrious career that has five Champions League trophies.
Kroos epitomizes the soul of a secure and calculated passer, showcasing his skill across all three planes—short, medium, and long.
Despite his central midfield role, typically tasked with the pass-before-the-assist type, Kroos has consistently made a huge impact in creating goals.
He featured in La Liga’s top five assist-makers in four seasons and achieved this twice in the Bundesliga.
With 156 assists in 692 club games, the 33-year-old German has established himself as a prolific playmaker.
Kroos has not only excelled in creating opportunities but has also garnered recognition for his passing precision. He was three times among La Liga’s best players for pass completion at the end of seasons, five times for key passes, and an impressive seven seasons for progressive passes made.
His ability to dictate the tempo of a game and orchestrate plays from the heart of the midfield has solidified Toni Kroos as one of football’s best passers in 2023/2024.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Vision: 96
Crossing: 83
Short passing: 91
Long passing: 95
Leo Messi’s legacy in football is undoubtedly one of greatness, and his staggering 344 assists in 889 club games, along with 56 for Argentina, is evidence of his playmaking prowess.
However, the player who claims the third spot on this list edges ahead with a better ratio in both international and club football, especially considering the ongoing performances in the top five leagues.
While Messi’s shadow looms large across all pitches, the passing of the mantle is done gradually.
In his last European season, Messi still proved his brilliance by ranking seventh in the top five leagues with 93 key passes. It’s his extraordinary vision that continues to place him among the elite, as he effortlessly threads a needle through what others perceive as an impenetrable wall.
Messi’s ability to make entire stadiums gasp and spill their drinks in the process is evidence of the sheer magic he brings to the art of passing.
Although Messi may not claim the top spot in this particular ranking, his impact on the pitch remains unparalleled, and his influence in shaping the narrative of football’s greatest passers is undeniable.
4. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Vision: 90
Crossing: 85
Short passing: 89
Long passing: 93
Luka Modric’s longevity and enduring impact at the age of 38 make him a key player for Real Madrid, a note to his exceptional skill and football intelligence.
With 126 club assists in 741 games and an extra 27 assists in 172 games for Croatia, Modric’s influence extends both at the club and international levels.
His passing ability shines most notably in international football, where he elevates the performance of his teammates, making the entire squad overperform.
Modric stands out not just for his technique but for his versatility in passing.
He can deliver the correct pass in any given situation, whether it’s a small pass with his heel, a long one with the outside of his foot, a grass-cutter volley, or a delicate lob over the defensive line.
Tactically, Modric excels in making passes into the final third and progressive passes.
He has consistently topped these metrics in La Liga over several seasons, showcasing his ability to influence the game not just with precise passing but also with strategic decision-making.
5. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Vision: 94
Crossing: 87
Short passing: 90
Long passing: 92
Last season, Bruno Fernandes had a relatively subdued performance by the exceptional standards he has set since joining Manchester United in January 2020.
Despite the quiet season, he still managed to notch up eight goals and eight assists in 37 matches.
Fernandes narrowly edged out Odegaard for passes completed at 1,498, having a completion rate of 73.8 percent. His tally of 263 progressive passes, averaging 7.1 per match, mirrors the impressive numbers of his Norwegian counterpart.
Moreover, the United captain’s proficiency in Deadball situations adds a valuable dimension to Erik ten Hag’s team.
Bruno Fernandes is not just a scorer but a constant supplier of dangerous moments in front of the opponent’s goal, amassing 127 assists in 498 club games and 18 in 63 appearances for Portugal.
As an attacking midfielder for United, he consistently tops the rankings for passes into the penalty area, featuring in the top five each season he competes.
Fernandes’ versatility, whether operating from deep or as part of the forward line, justifies his well-deserved place in this elite list of playmakers.
6. Dani Parejo (Villarreal)
Vision: 90
Crossing: 87
Short passing: 90
Long passing: 90
Dani Parejo’s influence on the pitch is not just about receiving and redirecting passes; it’s about sending them forward with purpose.
His passing style stands out as he consistently makes more progressive passes, passes into the final third, and forward passes than over 95% of all midfielders.
While he may not be the one delivering the final ball, he plays a key role in setting up those crucial opportunities.
In the La Liga 2023/2024 season, Parejo has already assisted in 1 goal during 15 matches.
He averages around 62.61 passes per game with an impressive pass completion rate of 90.88%. Moreover, he creates approximately 0.96 key passes per game, contributing to key scoring chances for his team.
As a midfielder who has participated in 17 matches this season, accumulating a total of 1488 minutes on the pitch, Parejo proves a consistent performance.
On average, he provides 0.06 assists for every 90 minutes played.
These statistics emphasize his ability to not only contribute to scoring opportunities but also to shape the overall flow and progress of the game. Parejo’s unique passing style and playmaking vision set him apart in La Liga.
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Vision: 90
Crossing: 93
Short passing: 85
Long passing: 93
Trent Alexander-Arnold has taken up a notable shift into the role of an inverted fullback, and the reasons behind this evolution are crystal clear. Last season, the 24-year-old notched up an impressive nine assists in 34 starts for Liverpool.
Despite being stationed in defense, he outshone everyone on this list by completing a staggering 2,188 passes.
The depth of Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking abilities becomes even more apparent when we dig into his 235 progressive passes at a remarkable rate of 6.7 per match.
This shows his exceptional ability to ignite the attack from deep positions. Remarkably, he sits second in the all-time list of Premier League defenders with 55 assists, underlining his influence on the offensive end.
The trajectory of the England international’s career seems to be steering firmly toward the midfield, as he continues to redefine the expectations of a modern fullback with his playmaking wizardry from the backline.
8. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Vision: 89
Crossing: 90
Short passing: 88
Long passing: 91
The Bayern Munich faithful might raise an eyebrow at the whispers suggesting Thomas Tuchel isn’t entirely content with Joshua Kimmich in the midfield.
After all, the industrious German has consistently dominated midfield statistics, even while playing as a right-back.
His versatility has been on full display as he amassed an impressive 104 assists for RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, coupled with another 19 for the German national team.
The 28-year-old proved his ability in the 2022/2023 season.
Kimmich secured the 10th spot in the top five leagues for key passes made, tallying an impressive 84. Progressive passes are his specialty, featuring in the top 10 across the five biggest leagues four times, claiming the number one spot in the Bundesliga on four occasions.
He also excelled three times as the best in passes into the final third and twice in passes into the penalty area.
Kimmich consistently ranks in the top five for metrics like key passes and through balls in the Bundesliga, showing his exceptional playmaking abilities.
9. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Vision: 92
Crossing: 87
Short passing: 90
Long passing: 85
The importance of passing-range ability becomes strikingly apparent, perhaps more than with any current player.
The Norwegian seamlessly executes short one-two passes in tight spaces, showing a nimble touch. Yet, he possesses the finesse to unleash long-range passes that can instantly propel a counter-attack to its final stage.
Once hailed as a sensation in his younger days, Odegaard has now amassed an impressive tally of 60 assists in his club career, accompanied by an extra 10 for the Norwegian national team.
Now a prominent figure in Mikel Arteta’s new Arsenal era, the composed Norwegian has firmly etched his name in the Premier League’s top 10 for key passes, passes into the penalty area, and through balls over the last three campaigns.
Odegaard’s ability to orchestrate plays and thread precise passes makes him a pivotal force in shaping Arsenal’s attacking dynamics.
10. Rodri (Manchester City)
Vision: 90
Crossing: 88
Short passing: 88
Long passing: 90
Rodri might not be the player to dazzle the crowd with flashy passes or outrageous creativity, and he might not be everyone’s top pick for favorite passer—except maybe Pep Guardiola’s.
However, he has carved out a spot among the best passers in the game by providing a crucial element: security through distribution.
While not a headline-grabbing playmaker, Rodri has consistently ranked in the top 10 for pass completion rates in La Liga and the Premier League, often in the company of center-backs passing among themselves and the goalkeeper.
Surprisingly, he has also secured a place in the top 10 for passes into the final third in multiple seasons. His knack for progressive passes has earned him another top-10 spot for six seasons.
Although his assist count stands at 29 in 400 club games, in a team known for its intricate passing style, Rodri’s secure and strategic distribution plays a vital role, even if it doesn’t always steal the spotlight.
Other Best Passers in Soccer 2023/24
- Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)
- Thiago Alcantara(Liverpool)
- Frankie De Jong (Barcelona)
- Luis Alberto (Latium)
- Youri Tielemanns (Leicester)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- James Maddison (Leicester)
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