Football is often described as “the beautiful game,” and for good reason. While goals steal the headlines, the build-up play, creativity, and vision behind those moments of brilliance are just as vital. Assists — the final pass before the goal — are the bridge between artistry and execution.

When we talk about the most assists in soccer history, we are essentially celebrating the creative geniuses who shaped the game, from Ferenc Puskas in the 1950s to Lionel Messi dominating the modern era. These players are not just goal providers; they are the architects of footballing joy.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore what an assist means in football, its importance in the modern game, and finally unveil the top 10 players with the most assists in soccer history. Along the way, we’ll highlight related records such as the most assists in World Cup history and the Premier League.

What Is an Assist in Soccer?

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Before diving into the records, it’s crucial to define what an assist actually is.

In soccer, an assist is awarded to a player who provides the pass, cross, flick, or even a touch that directly leads to a goal being scored. While simple in concept, the execution of an assist often requires vision, awareness, and precision — skills that separate great players from legendary ones.

Key Points About Assists:

• Direct Contribution: The pass must directly set up a goal.
• Not Always Intentional: Even if the provider didn’t mean it (for example, a deflected cross), it still counts.
• Different Styles: Assists can come in the form of through balls, long passes, crosses, set pieces, or even backheels.

To illustrate: Kevin De Bruyne swinging in a perfect cross that Erling Haaland converts with a header is the classic example of an assist.

Why Are Assists Important?

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Football has always been a team sport. While strikers often get the glory for scoring, the creation of chances is equally vital. Players with a knack for assists are the heartbeat of attacking football, ensuring that strikers receive the service they need.

In modern football, the role of the “playmaker” has evolved — from Johan Cruyff’s Total Football philosophy to Xavi and Iniesta’s tiki-taka at Barcelona, and now to the hybrid forward-playmaker role exemplified by Lionel Messi.

Put simply, if goals are the finishing act, assists are the script.

The Top 10 Players With the Most Assists in Soccer History

Let’s now turn to the legends of creativity. The following list highlights the top 10 players with the most assists in soccer history across club and international football.

RankPlayerCareer AssistsClubs/National Team Highlights1Ferenc Puskas404Real Madrid, Hungary2Lionel Messi377+Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, Argentina3Pelé369Santos, Brazil4Johan Cruyff358Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands5Thomas Müller302+Bayern Munich, Germany6Luis Suárez293+Barcelona, Liverpool, Uruguay7Luís Figo283Barcelona, Real Madrid, Portugal8Ryan Giggs277Manchester United, Wales9Cristiano Ronaldo268+Manchester United, Real Madrid, Al Nassr, Portugal10Ángel Di María259+Real Madrid, PSG, Argentina

1. Ferenc Puskas — 404 Assists

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Ferenc Puskas, the Hungarian legend, tops the list with a staggering 404 assists in addition to his 708 career goals. His ability to both score and create made him one of the most complete forwards in football history.

Puskas played a pivotal role in Hungary’s “Mighty Magyars” of the 1950s and later won three European Cups with Real Madrid. His influence is immortalized through FIFA’s annual Puskas Award, celebrating the most beautiful goal of the year.

2. Lionel Messi — 377+ Assists

Hot on Puskas’ heels is Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time. Beyond his 377+ assists, Messi has scored over 820 career goals, combining goalscoring with unmatched creativity.

Messi has been a magician for both club and country, whether dribbling past defenders, delivering a pinpoint through ball, or linking up with forwards like Luis Suárez and Neymar. His move to Inter Miami has brought him new opportunities to extend his record.

Messi is the modern king of assists — and he may yet surpass Puskas.

3. Pelé — 369 Assists

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Brazilian legend Pelé is synonymous with football greatness. Known for his vision and intelligence, Pelé registered 369 assists along with 1,281 career goals (official and unofficial matches combined).

He remains the only player to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970). His playmaking, combined with his goalscoring, made him a once-in-a-generation talent.

4. Johan Cruyff — 358 Assists

Johan Cruyff wasn’t just a player; he was a football philosopher. With 358 assists, the Dutch legend revolutionized the sport through his role in the “Total Football” philosophy.

Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards and played a pivotal role in Ajax’s dominance in the 1970s. His intelligence, technique, and invention of the “Cruyff Turn” cemented his place among the most creative players ever.

5. Thomas Müller — 302+ Assists

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Often underrated, Thomas Müller is a genius of space. His self-proclaimed role as a Raumdeuter (“space interpreter”) has helped him register over 302 assists.

At Bayern Munich, Müller has consistently been one of the Bundesliga’s top creators, linking up seamlessly with forwards like Robert Lewandowski and now Harry Kane. For Germany, he has also been a key part of their success, including the 2014 World Cup win.

6. Luis Suárez — 293+ Assists

Luis Suárez, known for his aggression and lethal finishing, also has an underrated creative side. Across spells with Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, and now Grêmio, he has recorded over 293 assists.

His chemistry with Messi and Neymar at Barcelona formed one of the most devastating attacking trios in football history.

7. Luís Figo — 283 Assists

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Portuguese legend Luís Figo, who controversially moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000, recorded 283 assists in his glittering career.

Figo was a master of dribbling and crossing, and his creativity paved the way for Cristiano Ronaldo to follow in his footsteps as Portugal’s biggest star.

8. Ryan Giggs — 277 Assists

A Manchester United one-club man, Ryan Giggs was the Premier League’s most consistent creative force. He notched 277 assists, including a record 162 in the Premier League.

Giggs’ career spanned more than two decades, during which he won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and became one of United’s all-time greats.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo — 268+ Assists

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Cristiano Ronaldo is often celebrated for his goals, but he also boasts 268 assists. In his early Manchester United days, Ronaldo was more of a winger, dazzling with stepovers and crosses.

At Real Madrid, he evolved into a prolific striker, but still created plenty for teammates like Karim Benzema. Now at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continues to add to his tally.

10. Ángel Di María — 259+ Assists

Ángel Di María has often been the unsung hero in every team he’s played for. With 259 assists, he has been a key creative force at Benfica, Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, and Argentina.

His crowning moment came in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where he scored and assisted, helping Argentina win the trophy.

Other Notable Assist Records

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Most Assists in Premier League History

Ryan Giggs leads with 162 assists, ahead of Cesc Fàbregas (111) and Wayne Rooney (103).

Most Assists in a Single Season

Lionel Messi holds the record for 21 assists in a La Liga season (2019/20), while Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry share the Premier League record with 20 each.

Most Assists in a Calendar Year

Dusan Tadic surprisingly tops this category with 37 assists in 2021 for Ajax.

Most Assists in World Cup History

Pelé, Lionel Messi, and Diego Maradona share the record with 8 assists each.

The history of football is filled with legends who made the game beautiful not only by scoring but also by creating. The list of players with the most assists in soccer history highlights how vital creativity is to success.

From Puskas to Messi, from Cruyff to De Bruyne, assists have shaped football’s greatest moments. And as statistics become more refined, fans are increasingly recognizing the importance of these visionary players who make goals possible.

When the story of football is told, goals will always dominate — but the passes behind them? They are the poetry that makes the game beautiful.

FAQ

What is an assist in soccer?

An assist in soccer is a pass or play that directly leads to a goal. It’s a key statistic used to measure a player’s creativity and contribution to the team’s attacking play.

Who has the most assists in soccer history?

Ferenc Puskas holds the record for the most career assists in soccer history, with 404 assists, followed closely by Lionel Messi and Pele.

Which player has the most assists in a single Premier League season?

Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne share the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season, with 20 assists each.e