Most Assists in Football: Look, we all love a good goal, right? The crowd goes wild, the scorer gets all the glory, and everyone’s talking about that amazing strike for weeks. But here’s the thing – most of those jaw-dropping goals wouldn’t exist without the guy who made the pass.
Think about it. How many times have you watched a match and seen someone score a “tap-in” and thought, “Well, that was easy”? But then you see the replay and realize the assist was absolutely ridiculous. The passer had to spot the run, weigh the ball perfectly, and deliver it at just the right moment. That’s not easy – that’s genius.
I’ve been watching football for years, and honestly, some of my favorite moments aren’t even goals. It’s watching a player like De Bruyne pick out a pass that you didn’t even know was possible. Or seeing Messi drop deep, turn around, and suddenly three defenders are out of position because of one simple ball.
The remarkable aspect is how underrated these players can sometimes be. Everyone knows who the top scorers are – those numbers are plastered everywhere. But ask someone who has the most assists this season, and they might struggle to answer.
That’s changing though. Modern football fans are getting smarter. We’re starting to appreciate the chess masters, not just the finishers. The players who can unlock a defense with one touch, who make their teammates better just by being on the pitch.
Top 20 Active Players with the Most Assists in Football
So let’s give these playmakers their due. We’re talking about the 20 active players who’ve made a career out of making others look good. These aren’t just stat-padders – these are the guys who change games, who see things others miss, and who remind us that football is as much about creativity as it is about putting the ball in the net.
Trust me, after reading about these players, you’ll never watch assists the same way again.
20. Jordi Alba
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 130 |
| National | 22 |
| Total | 152 |
Alba has been one of football’s most consistent attacking fullbacks for over a decade. At Barcelona, his partnership with the left-wingers and Messi was crucial to their success. His crossing ability is exceptional, and he has this knack for arriving late in the box to create chances or score goals. Those overlapping runs down the left flank created so many opportunities for Barcelona over the years.
For Spain, he’s been equally important, providing width and creativity from the left-back position. His assist numbers are remarkable for a defender – it shows how modern fullbacks need to be creators as well as defenders. Even as he’s gotten older, his crossing hasn’t diminished, and he’s still finding teammates in the box with precise delivery. His longevity at the highest level, constantly creating chances from the left flank, has made him one of the most productive fullbacks in football history.
19. Miralem Pjanić
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 131 |
| National | 29 |
| Total | 160 |
Pjanić has been one of Europe’s most underrated creators for years. At Lyon, he showed glimpses of his ability, but it was at Roma where he really flourished as a deep-lying playmaker. His passing range was exceptional, constantly finding teammates with long balls and through passes that others couldn’t see. The move to Juventus was recognition of his talent – they needed someone to control games from deep.
At Juve, Pjanić was often the guy creating chances for the forwards, his set-piece delivery was excellent, and he could pick out passes from anywhere on the pitch. The Barcelona move didn’t work out, but that says more about fit than ability. For Bosnia, he’s been their star player for over a decade, constantly creating chances and controlling games from midfield. His assist numbers are impressive for a midfielder who plays so deep – it shows the quality of his long-range passing and vision.
18. Raheem Sterling
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 133 |
| National | 27 |
| Total | 160 |
Sterling’s development from promising Liverpool winger to consistent Premier League creator has been impressive. At Liverpool, even as a teenager, you could see he had the pace to hurt teams, but his final ball and decision-making weren’t always there. The controversial move to City was the making of him – working under Pep really developed his understanding of when to pass and when to shoot.
At City, Sterling became one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers, not just scoring goals but creating them too. His assist numbers improved dramatically because he learned when to be selfish and when to look for teammates. For England, he’s been crucial in their recent tournament runs, constantly creating chances from wide positions. His game intelligence has grown so much over the years – he’s not just relying on pace anymore, he’s picking out the right pass at the right time.
17. Antoine Griezmann
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 128 |
| National | 38 |
| Total | 166 |
Griezmann’s creativity has sometimes been overshadowed by his goal-scoring, but he’s always been one of football’s smartest playmakers. At Atlético Madrid the first time, he was creating chances constantly, finding ways to unlock the tightest defenses with his vision and passing. That partnership with Diego Costa and later other strikers worked because Griezmann could drop deep and create as well as finish.
The Barcelona period was complicated – never quite fitting into their system perfectly, but still managing to create chances and contribute to the team’s success. Back at Atlético, he’s returned to his best form, showing that football intelligence that made him special in the first place. For France, he’s been crucial in their recent World Cup and Nations League victories, often being the guy who creates the crucial chance even when he’s not scoring. His assist numbers reflect a player who’s always thinking about the next pass, not just the next shot.
16. Lukas Podolski
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 137 |
| National | 31 |
| Total | 168 |
Podolski was one of those players who maybe didn’t get the full credit he deserved for his creativity. At Cologne, Bayern, and Arsenal, he was always more than just a left-footed shooter. His crossing from wide positions was excellent, and he had this knack for finding teammates in the box with well-timed passes. That left foot wasn’t just for scoring spectacular goals – it could pick out assists too.
For Germany, Podolski was a key player for over a decade, helping them win the 2014 World Cup and consistently creating chances in major tournaments. His partnership with different strikers for the national team always worked because he was happy to create for others. Later in his career, playing in Turkey and Japan, he showed he could still find teammates with clever passes even as he lost some pace. His assist tally reflects a player who always looked for the team option, not just personal glory.
15. Kylian Mbappé
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 132 |
| National | 37 |
| Total | 169 |
Mbappé burst onto the scene at Monaco as this teenage sensation, and even then, you could see he wasn’t just about pace and goals. He was creating chances, finding teammates with clever passes, showing football intelligence beyond his years. That Champions League run with Monaco where they beat City and nearly knocked out Juventus – Mbappé was scoring but also setting up crucial goals throughout the campaign.
At PSG, playing alongside Neymar and later Messi, he’s developed his creative game even further. Sure, everyone talks about his speed and finishing, but his assist numbers keep growing because he sees opportunities to create for others. For France, he’s been crucial in their recent success, not just scoring in big tournaments but constantly creating chances for teammates. His development as a complete player who can both score and create has been fun to watch – he’s still only in his mid-twenties but already has impressive assist numbers.
14. Luka Modrić
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 140 |
| National | 30 |
| Total | 170 |
Modrić’s journey from war-torn Croatia to Real Madrid greatness is inspirational. People thought he was too small, too weak for the Premier League when he joined Tottenham, but his vision and passing ability were always special. Those years at Spurs showed he could create chances at the highest level, constantly finding teammates with passes that others couldn’t see. The move to Madrid was questioned initially, but he proved everyone wrong.
At Real Madrid, Modrić became the heartbeat of their midfield, creating chances from deep positions and controlling games with his passing. Those Champions League victories wouldn’t have happened without his creativity and vision. For Croatia, he’s been magnificent – that 2018 World Cup run where they reached the final was built on his playmaking. Even at nearly 40, he’s still finding ways to create chances, still picking out passes that younger players miss. His assist numbers are impressive for a deep-lying midfielder, but they don’t capture his full influence on games.
13. Riyad Mahrez
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 141 |
| National | 42 |
| Total | 183 |
Mahrez’s Leicester story is still one of football’s greatest fairy tales. This guy was playing in French lower divisions, then League One with Leicester, and suddenly he’s tearing apart Premier League defenses and creating chances in a title-winning team. That 2015-16 season was magical – Mahrez wasn’t just scoring goals, he was the creative engine behind Leicester’s impossible dream. His left foot was pure magic, those crosses and passes that found Vardy and others perfectly.
At Manchester City under Pep, he’s had to adapt to a different style, but his creativity has remained consistent. Sometimes he’s been in and out of the team, but when he plays, he’s always dangerous, always looking for that killer pass or perfect cross. For Algeria, he’s been the star player, helping them win the Africa Cup of Nations and constantly creating chances in international football. His assist numbers show a player who sees the game differently – he can create something from nothing with that magical left foot.
12. Alexis Sánchez
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 148 |
| National | 41 |
| Total | 189 |
Sánchez has always been one of those players who brings incredible energy and creativity to every team he joins. At Arsenal, he was absolutely electric – running at defenses, creating chances out of nothing, and constantly looking to set up teammates even when he was in good scoring positions himself. His work rate was insane, tracking back to defend then sprinting forward to create chances. That partnership with Özil was beautiful to watch when it clicked.
The United move didn’t work out as planned – sometimes these big transfers just don’t fit, and it became awkward for everyone involved. But at Inter Milan, playing in Serie A, he rediscovered his form and showed he could still be a creative force at the highest level. For Chile, he’s been the star for over a decade, carrying them to Copa América victories and constantly creating chances in big tournaments. His assist numbers reflect a player who’s always been team-first despite being capable of individual brilliance. Even now, he’s still that same energetic player looking to make things happen for his teammates.
11. Robert Lewandowski
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 155 |
| National | 35 |
| Total | 190 |
Lewandowski’s transformation from a promising Dortmund striker to one of Europe’s most complete forwards shows his dedication to improving every aspect of his game. At BVB, he was already showing signs of being more than just a goalscorer – the way he linked play and brought others into the game was impressive. But it was at Bayern where he really developed his creative side, learning to play with his back to goal and find teammates in tight spaces.
What’s remarkable about Lewandowski is his consistency as both scorer and creator across different leagues. At Bayern, he was constantly setting up Müller, Gnabry, and others while banging in 40+ goals a season. Now at Barcelona, even in his late thirties, he’s adapting again, creating chances for younger players while still being lethal in the box. For Poland, he’s been carrying the team for over a decade, not just scoring but constantly looking for ways to bring his teammates into the game. His assist numbers are often overlooked because of his incredible goal tallies, but they show a striker who truly understands team play.
10. Mohamed Salah
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 161 |
| National | 33 |
| Total | 194 |
Salah’s rise from Chelsea reject to Liverpool superstar is one of football’s great stories. After struggling in London, his moves to Italy really developed his game. At Fiorentina and especially Roma, he learned to be more than just a fast winger – he started seeing passes, creating chances, becoming a more complete attacker. When Liverpool signed him, some people questioned the fee, but Klopp saw something special.
That first season at Anfield was insane – 44 goals, but people forget he was also creating tons of chances for his teammates. The way he’s developed his partnership with Mané, Firmino, and later others shows his football intelligence. He’s not selfish despite being such a deadly finisher. For Egypt, he’s carried the team for years, not just scoring but constantly creating opportunities for less talented teammates. His assist numbers at Liverpool are impressive because he genuinely wants his teammates to succeed. Even when he’s in goal-scoring positions, he’ll make the pass if someone else has a better chance.
9. Karim Benzema
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 201 |
| National | 20 |
| Total | 221 |
Benzema’s evolution as a player has been incredible to witness. Early on at Lyon, he was this promising striker who could score goals, but at Real Madrid, he became something else entirely. Playing alongside Ronaldo for all those years, he learned to be more than just a finisher. He became the guy who would drop deep, link play, create chances for others, and still pop up to score when needed. Those Galáctico teams worked because Benzema was happy to be the connector.
After Ronaldo left Madrid, everyone expected Benzema to struggle, but instead he reached new heights. Suddenly he was the main man, and his creative game exploded. The way he’s been setting up Vinícius and others while still scoring 30+ goals a season is remarkable. For France, despite all the off-field drama, he’s always been productive when selected, creating chances and bringing others into play. His assist numbers don’t even tell the full story – so many goals come from his flicks, his hold-up play, his little touches that create opportunities. He’s the perfect example of a striker who makes everyone around him better.
8. Mesut Özil
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 218 |
| National | 40 |
| Total | 258 |
Özil at his peak was pure magic as a playmaker. Bremen gave him his start, but it was at Real Madrid where the world really noticed. Playing behind Ronaldo, Benzema, and Higuaín, he was creating chances that others couldn’t even see. That assist where he nutmegged the keeper to set up a tap-in – that was vintage Özil. His vision was incredible, and the way he could find space in crowded areas and still pick out the perfect pass was special to watch.
The Arsenal years started brilliantly – that first season, he was creating chances every game and the fans loved him. But then things got complicated. The club wasn’t matching his ambitions, and toward the end, it became this messy situation with contracts and politics. At Fenerbahçe and now in Turkey, he’s shown he can still create when the mood strikes. For Germany, he was crucial in their 2014 World Cup win, always finding ways to unlock tight games. His assist record speaks for itself – this guy could make average players look brilliant with his passing.
7. Neymar Jr.
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 227 |
| National | 59 |
| Total | 286 |
Neymar’s journey from Santos wonderkid to European superstar has been fascinating to watch. At Barcelona, playing alongside Messi and Suárez, he was part of that incredible MSN attack that terrorized Europe. What made that trio so special wasn’t just the goals – it was how they created for each other. Neymar would do his tricks and flair, but he also had this vision that people sometimes miss because of all the showboating. He could thread passes through the smallest gaps and his crossing from wide areas was always dangerous.
The PSG move was supposed to be about stepping out of Messi’s shadow, but it became more about creating chances for others. With Mbappé and later Cavani, then when Messi joined, Neymar often became the guy setting up the goals rather than scoring them. His assist numbers at PSG are actually higher than at Barcelona, which shows how his game evolved. The injuries have been frustrating – every time he builds momentum, something happens. But when he’s fit and focused, few players can create chances like Neymar. Those quick feet aren’t just for show; they open up space for the killer pass.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 242 |
| National | 45 |
| Total | 287 |
People see Ronaldo as just a goalscorer but that’s doing him a disservice – the guy’s always been creative too. Back at United the first time, Ferguson turned him from this flashy winger into someone who could actually pick a pass. At Real Madrid, especially during those peak Champions League years, he wasn’t just scoring – he was creating tons of chances for Benzema, Bale, whoever was around him. The ego stuff sometimes overshadows how good his vision actually is.
Even now at nearly 40, he’s still finding ways to set up teammates. At Juventus, he had to adapt his game, drop deeper, become more of a playmaker because Serie A is so tactical. For Portugal, he’s been doing both jobs – scoring and creating – for almost two decades. In Saudi Arabia, people thought it was just about money, but watch him play and he’s still whipping in crosses, still finding passes others wouldn’t attempt. Those assist numbers are massive for a reason – this guy has been making chances at the highest level longer than most players’ entire careers.
5. Ángel Di María
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 278 |
| National | 32 |
| Total | 310 |
Di María has had such a weird career trajectory but somehow always ends up being crucial wherever he goes. Real Madrid never fully appreciated him until that Champions League final against Atlético where he basically won them La Décima. Then United happened – what a disaster that was. He looked lost in the Premier League, couldn’t adapt to the physicality, but PSG brought out the best in him again. In Paris, he found his groove as this roaming creator who could hurt teams from anywhere.
The Argentina story with Di María is beautiful though. For years he was the nearly man – remember that World Cup final miss in 2014? But he never gave up on his country, kept showing up, kept creating chances even when nothing was working. Then finally, everything clicked – the Copa América wins, that amazing goal in the World Cup final. At his age, still tracking back, still whipping in perfect crosses, still finding Messi and the others with passes that cut through entire teams. He’s proved that persistence pays off, and those assist numbers reflect a player who’s been doing it at the highest level for over a decade.
4. Luis Suárez
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 274 |
| National | 39 |
| Total | 313 |
Suárez is such a polarizing figure but you can’t deny his brilliance as a creator. People remember the controversies, the biting incidents, all that drama, but they sometimes forget this guy is one of the smartest players ever. At Liverpool, that 2013-14 season was magical – he was scoring for fun but also setting up Sturridge and Sterling constantly. The way he’d drop deep, link play, then suddenly appear in the box to score – defenders never knew what to expect from him.
The Barcelona years with Messi and Neymar were incredible to watch. That MSN trio worked so well because Suárez was happy to do the dirty work, make the runs that opened space for others, play the simple pass when a flashy one wasn’t needed. He’s always been unselfish despite being such a deadly finisher. Even now in his late thirties, whether it was helping Atlético win the league or playing for Uruguay in Qatar, he’s still creating chances. People focus on his goals but his assist numbers tell the story of a player who’s always thought team first.
3. Kevin De Bruyne
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 261 |
| National | 52 |
| Total | 313 |
De Bruyne’s career could have gone so differently if Chelsea had given him a proper chance. Imagine letting go of someone who became arguably the best midfielder in the world – that’s got to hurt. But honestly, maybe it worked out for the best because his time in Germany really made him. At Wolfsburg, he was running the show, creating chances from everywhere on the pitch. When City came calling, you could see why Pep wanted him so badly. This guy can hit a 60-yard pass like it’s nothing and his crossing is just ridiculous.
Watching De Bruyne play for City has been a privilege. The way he’s been the engine of their success, breaking assist records in the Premier League like it’s routine – it’s special. And it’s not just the quantity, it’s the quality. Those whipped crosses, the through balls that split entire defenses, the way he can pick out a teammate in traffic. Belgium’s golden generation might not have won everything they should have, but De Bruyne gave them chances in every tournament. Even when he’s having an off day scoring, he’s usually creating something for someone else. That’s just who he is as a player.
2. Thomas Müller
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 281 |
| National | 41 |
| Total | 322 |
Müller is one of those players who doesn’t look like much but just knows football better than everyone else. He came through Bayern’s academy and from day one, coaches realized this guy sees things others don’t. He’s not the fastest or strongest, but put him in the final third and he’ll find spaces that shouldn’t exist and pick out passes that make you wonder how he even saw them. The way he linked up with Robbery (Robben and Ribéry) in those peak Bayern years was something else – Müller would just appear in the right place at the right time and slide the perfect ball through.
The crazy thing about Müller is how he keeps reinventing himself. When Bayern brought in all these new attacking players over the years, people kept writing him off, saying he was done. But he just adapted, dropped deeper, became more of a playmaker, and somehow his assist numbers kept climbing. For Germany, he’s been doing this for over a decade – remember how he was creating chances in the 2010 World Cup as a kid? Now he’s the veteran leader still setting up goals. He’s proof that football intelligence beats athleticism every time.
1. Lionel Messi
| Category | Assists |
|---|---|
| Club | 367 |
| National | 61 |
| Total | 428 |
Messi’s story is honestly incredible when you think about it. This tiny kid from Argentina almost didn’t make it because of his growth problems, but Barcelona saw something special and brought him to Spain when he was just 13. He grew up at La Masia and by the time he broke into the first team, everyone knew they were watching something different. Those early years with Ronaldinho teaching him, then later the magical partnership with Xavi and Iniesta – that’s when football became art. Messi wasn’t just scoring goals left and right, he was creating them too, threading passes that shouldn’t be possible.
What really gets me is how he’s still doing it now. After that heartbreaking exit from Barcelona – man, seeing him cry at that press conference was tough – he went to PSG and people thought he might decline. Instead, he kept creating chances and then had that World Cup in Qatar where everything finally came together for Argentina. Now he’s in Miami playing a completely different style of football but still finding ways to set up his teammates. The guy has more assists than most players have appearances, and he makes it look so easy you forget how impossible some of those passes actually are.
