Football is a sport which is built on teamwork and creativity. Assists are the key passes that make goals possible and turn effort into success. Over the years, many players from Europe to South America, have mastered this craft. Here are the top seven players with the most assists in football history, from past legends to today’s stars.
7. Kevin De Bruyne – 304 Assists
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne is considered the best playmaker in football today. He has over 304 assists for club and country, and the number continues to rise. De Bruyne’s crossing accuracy, vision, and creativity make him a dream teammate for any striker.
Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne became the heart of City’s attack, leading them to multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League win in 2023. He holds the joint record for most assists in a Premier League season (20), tied with Thierry Henry. De Bruyne represents the new era of complete midfielders, strong, technical, and selfless.
6. Thomas Müller – 314 Assists
Germany’s Thomas Müller is a unique player, not flashy, but extremely smart. Known as a “Raumdeuter” (space interpreter), Müller has 314 assists for Bayern Munich and Germany. He’s one of the most consistent creators of the modern era.
Rather than dribbling or flashy skills, Müller focuses on finding space and setting up goals with precise passes. He has finished as the Bundesliga’s top assist contributor many times and was key in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph.
5. Luis Suárez – 319 Assists
Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez is known for his aggressive style and clinical finishing, but he’s also a master at creating goals. Across his time at Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Uruguay, Suárez has provided about 319 assists.
At Barcelona, Suárez played along with Messi and Neymar in the famous MSN trio, one of the best attacking groups in football history. His quick mind, skillful touches, and smart passes made him more than a striker. Wherever he played, his understanding of the game and talent for creating goals always stood out.
4. Johan Cruyff – 358 Assists
Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff changed football both as a player and a manager. The heart of the “Total Football” philosophy, Cruyff played for Ajax, Barcelona, and the Netherlands, providing an estimated 358 assists in his career.
Cruyff’s cleverness and awareness made him one of the most powerful playmakers ever. He constantly moved, passed, and created space, inspiring a new tactical approach. His combinations with teammates like Neeskens and Krol helped Ajax win three straight European Cups in the early 1970s. Cruyff showed that creativity and control could dominate just as much as raw pace or power.
3. Pelé – 369 Assists
Pelé was known as the “King of Football,” he was more than just a great goal scorer, Pelé was also an excellent creator. From the late 1950s to the 1970s, he played for Santos, New York Cosmos, and Brazil, contributing around 369 assists during his legendary career.
Pelé’s game was assembled on power, creativity, and vision. His partnerships with Garrincha and Tostão helped Brazil win three World Cups, in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He often moved deeper to start attacks, showing an advanced understanding of the game long before the “false nine” role became popular. His assists were just as important as his famous goals.
2. Lionel Messi – 398 Assists
Lionel Messi tops almost every chart of the modern era, when talking about playmaking brilliance. He has 398 assists in club and international football, the Argentine superstar is football’s assist king. Messi’s time at Barcelona saw him blend with players like Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, and Suárez, creating countless goals.
Messi holds the record for the most assists in La Liga (192) and also leads in Copa América history with 18. Whether playing for PSG or Inter Miami, his vision, balance, creativity and timing make him the perfect team player. Messi proves that greatness is not only about scoring, but also helping others succeed.
1. Ferenc Puskás – 404 Assists
Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás is remembered not only for his incredible goal-scoring record but also for his creativity. Playing mainly in the 1940s-1960s for Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, and Hungary, Puskás registered around 404 career assists along with 708 goals.
Ferenc Puskás was famous for his powerful left foot and sharp football brain, he was a complete forward who could do both score and assist. His partnership with Alfredo Di Stéfano helped Real Madrid dominate Europe in the 1950s. The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal each year is named in his honor, a reflection of his lasting impact on football.
From Puskás’s era of classic football to De Bruyne’s modern precision, assists have remained the soul of teamwork. These seven players, Ferenc Puskás, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Johan Cruyff, Luis Suárez, Thomas Müller, and Kevin De Bruyne, have shown that the greatest joy in football is not always scoring, but helping others score.
Each of them mastered vision, timing, and understanding of the game, turning passing into art. While records may change with time, their creativity and contribution to football will forever be remembered as symbols of true greatness.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
